Worry or fear that will not stop
You worry a lot. You may feel tense or scared. Fear may keep you from going places or doing things.
What could this mean?
Anxiety means worry or fear. Everyone feels it sometimes. When it lasts and gets in the way of life, it may be an anxiety problem. A health worker can help you understand it.
You may hear the word: Anxiety.
What can I do?
Ask for help if worry keeps coming back or gets in the way of sleep, work, school, or time with people.
These signs alone do not tell you which condition you have.
One everyday example
An invented example: a person starts avoiding the bus because they fear something bad will happen. Soon they miss work and stop seeing friends. The important change is not simply feeling nervous; fear is shrinking everyday life.
Worry is not always a disorder
Some worry is a normal response to stress. Anxiety disorders involve more than occasional worry and can get in the way of ordinary activities. Different patterns include ongoing worry, panic attacks, fear of social situations, and specific phobias. A short example cannot tell them apart for you.
A question to bring to care
“Fear is making me avoid things I need or want to do. Can you help me understand the pattern?” Describe what happens before the fear, how often it comes, and what you avoid. You do not have to know the medical name first.
Expanded October 29, 2026. Sources checked for this addition; independent clinical review is still pending. Examples are invented for teaching.
NIMH: Anxiety disorders · How we write and check information
Read the source ↗YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW A MEDICAL WORD
How to ask for help.
- Tell someone you trust.
“I am having a hard time. Can you help me?”
- Call a doctor or a clinic.
“I need help with my mental health.”
- Say what has changed.
Tell them about your sleep, feelings, thoughts, or daily life.
YOU CAN SAY THIS
“I do not feel like myself. This is making life hard. I need help.”
“Please use simple words. Can you explain that again?”
A counselor helps you talk through problems. A doctor can check your health and discuss treatment. You can ask a trusted person to help make the call or come with you.
SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357. Ask a service about cost, insurance, or lower-cost care. Outside the U.S., ask a local clinic about mental-health support.
IF YOU NEED HELP RIGHT NOW
You do not have to face this alone.
If you might hurt yourself or someone else, or you feel you cannot cope, get help now.
In the U.S., call or text 988. You can ask for help for yourself or another person.
Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency. Outside the U.S., call your local emergency or crisis service.