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Anxiety is natural, but when fear takes over daily life, it signals an anxiety disorder. Learn the signs, brain changes, and treatment options.
Anxiety disorders impact work, relationships, and overall functioning.
Feeling anxious before a big exam, job interview, or presentation is something everyone experiences. Anxiety in such moments is the body’s way of keeping us alert and focused. But when worry becomes constant, overwhelming, and begins interfering with daily life, it may no longer be ordinary anxiety – it could be an anxiety disorder.
Everyday Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorder
“Anxiety is a typical emotional reaction to stress, danger, or ambiguity. It often subsides when the threatening experience has ended, making it a healthy aspect of life that keeps us alert,” explained Dr. Sumit Grover, Psychologist, Motivational Speaker, and Life Coach.
However, he warned that when fear becomes recurrent and disproportionate, it signals an anxiety disorder. “Anxiety disorders are characterised by inescapable worry or fear that lingers for months or years,” he said. Unlike everyday nervousness tied to specific circumstances, anxiety disorders can appear without warning and severely impact work, relationships, and overall functioning.
Common types include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias. Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath often accompany the psychological distress.
How Anxiety Affects the Brain
Dr. Vinit Banga, Director of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Faridabad, explained the neurological impact of chronic anxiety: “The amygdala, which processes fear, becomes hyperresponsive in anxious patients, detecting threats where none exist.”
He added that the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotion regulation – struggles to control this overactive amygdala, creating a vicious cycle of heightened fear. Prolonged stress also affects the hippocampus, which governs memory and learning, potentially shrinking it over time and impairing cognitive processes.
Anxiety disrupts neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, leading to chemical imbalances that intensify mood swings and worry. “These neurologic changes make it increasingly hard to manage anxiety, creating a snowball effect unless treated,” Dr. Banga noted.
Treatment and Management
The good news is that both anxiety and anxiety disorders are treatable. Dr. Grover pointed out that everyday anxiety can often be managed with lifestyle changes, coping strategies, and relaxation techniques. For anxiety disorders, therapy and medication are the most effective routes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), in particular, helps patients challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms.
Anxiety is a natural part of life, but when it refuses to subside, disrupts daily functioning, and alters brain chemistry, it becomes a disorder that requires attention. Recognising the difference is the first step toward managing it effectively and ensuring long-term mental and emotional well-being.
Delhi, India, India
September 07, 2025, 18:20 IST
