What’s the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

5 Comments

1. [O]peration [I]raqi [L]iberation says:

   July 16, 2010 at 11:11 pm

   I think it becomes a disorder when it starts to interfere with your day to day life and you start being anxious when you really have nothing to be anxious about.

   If you get nervous before a date or a job interview then it’s just anxiety but if you get nervous just getting up and going to work then it might be a disorder
2. Foxx says:

   July 16, 2010 at 11:40 pm

   Anxiety is something everyone has and IS good for you in small doses. It can help you make decisions.

   An Anxiety Disorder is very bad for you because it can keep you from making good decision in a timely manner. If you have this disorder you could have trouble talking to that nice guy or girl you want and you’d begin worrying about everything especially very small things. When you have an anxiety disorder it inhibits you more often than it should.
3. Isa says:

   July 17, 2010 at 12:01 am

   Today it seems as if every single person you encounter is “on something” for stress, depression or anxiety. All of them can neatly be lumped into the same category and are caused by stress.

   Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state, an anxiety disorder is something more accurate and that could be considerate as a “phobia”.

   Between anxieties disorders we find :Separation anxiety, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Social anxiety disorder, Phobias, Agoraphobia, Panic disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, etc.
4. stace says:

   July 17, 2010 at 12:59 am

   It becomes a disorder when it severely impairs your day-to-day life. For example, you may have a fear of cereal, but in order to get to the oatmeal you’ve got to pass a zillion packages of Cap’n Crunch, Fruit Loops, Cheerios, etc. Even though you’re anxious about encountering the cereal, you’re still able to suck it up and snag the oatmeal. In the event of a serious disorder, you’d avoid the breakfast aisle altogether, maybe even every single store carrying cereal products.
5. girly girl 101 says:

   July 17, 2010 at 1:18 am

   Anxiety becomes a disorder when you start to worry and worry so much to where you just can’t stand it. Like you really can’t stop thinking about what you are worrying about! Mostly, shy people have problems with anxiety and it eventually becomes a disorder because shy people don’t like being in the spotlight and talking to people and they worry about that. I should know I have an anxiety disorder! I take medication so I don’t worry as much and so i don’t have mood swings. So anxiety disorders are a big deal and they are where you worry a lot and can’t really stop worrying about it, until it’s over! Most people who worry too much shake and get all nervous in front of people like something simple like giving a presentation, or like getting so nervous to where they can’t hardly think at times probably have a disorder. Like just the other day, I had to read my play in drama class and I was so nervous because the teacher was making everyone read theirs. My legs were shaking I was so nervous and afraid or rejection I could barely talk, but I tried…. Oh gosh. That’s what it’s like. It’s to where, everyday you try not to worry about little things, but you do.