Anxiety Meaning

UK /æŋˈzaɪəti/
US /æŋˈzaɪəti/
Word Definition
anxiety meaning

Anxiety Definition & Usage

noun

A state of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

Examples

  • "She felt a surge of anxiety before her big presentation."
  • "His anxiety about the upcoming exam kept him up all night."
  • "The constant anxiety of meeting deadlines affected his health."
  • "A feeling of anxiety gripped him as he waited for the doctor’s results."
  • "Despite his calm demeanor, he struggled with anxiety in social situations."
noun

A mental health disorder characterized by excessive worry, fear, and nervousness, often without a specific or rational cause.

Examples

  • "She was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder after months of excessive worrying."
  • "People with social anxiety often experience panic when they are in crowds."
  • "Medication and therapy are common treatments for anxiety disorders."
  • "His anxiety disorder made it difficult for him to leave the house."
  • "Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to help those suffering from anxiety disorders."

Cultural Context

Anxiety, both as a psychological state and a medical condition, has been recognized and documented throughout history. It has been depicted in art, literature, and psychology, with its understanding evolving from general worry to a specific mental health disorder in the modern era.

The Weight of the Unknown

Story

The Weight of the Unknown

Amelia sat alone in her room, staring at the glowing cursor on her laptop screen. The deadline for her major project was approaching, but instead of focusing, her mind swirled with a thousand worries. What if it wasn't good enough? What if the client rejected it? What if this mistake ruined everything? Her chest tightened, and she could feel the familiar onset of anxiety creeping in, pressing down on her like a heavy blanket. She had experienced this feeling countless times before — a constant, gnawing sense of unease that only intensified as the day went on. Her phone buzzed, snapping her back to reality. It was a message from her friend, Jessica, asking how she was doing. Amelia stared at the screen for a moment, wondering how much to share. The truth was, her anxiety had become a daily companion, especially in moments like these — the uncertainty, the expectations, the unknown outcomes. She typed a quick reply, pretending everything was fine, even though she knew it wasn’t. Later that evening, she met with her therapist, Dr. Sanders, who had helped her understand her anxiety better. 'It's not about eliminating the fear or worry,' Dr. Sanders had explained during their last session. 'It's about learning to live with it and not letting it control your decisions.' Amelia wasn’t sure if she would ever fully understand or manage her anxiety, but she was trying. She had learned techniques for calming herself — deep breathing, meditation, even journaling. But sometimes, like tonight, nothing seemed to help. As Amelia stepped outside to clear her head, the cold night air was a stark contrast to the heat in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to focus on the stars above her. Despite the anxiety, the feeling that nothing was ever quite as it seemed, Amelia knew she had learned to push through it. Her journey with anxiety was far from over, but she had already come a long way.

The Weight of the Unknown