Could anxious feelings indicate having anxiety disorder?

Anxiety as an emotional response is not the same as anxiety disorder. The former is a normal psychological reaction, while the latter is a mental health condition requiring clinical diagnosis. For most people, anxious feelings resolve on their own and do not develop into an anxiety disorder. However, if anxiety persists for more than two weeks and significantly affects daily life, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation promptly.

Anxiety is a natural bodily response to stress or danger, such as feeling nervous before an exam or worrying after a work mistake. It is typically triggered by specific events, short-lived, and subsides naturally once the situation is resolved, without causing serious disruption to daily life.

In contrast, anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive anxiety that continues even without a clear trigger or after the initial cause has disappeared. It is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations and insomnia, and severely interferes with work, social interactions, and everyday functioning. A professional assessment is required for diagnosis, as it goes beyond ordinary emotional fluctuations.

To manage everyday anxiety, individuals can practice deep breathing to relax the mind and body, plan tasks realistically to prevent stress buildup, engage in outdoor activities to improve mood, maintain sufficient sleep, and adopt a balanced mindset that accepts normal emotional variations without excessive worry.