Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as an intense, persistent, and often excessive state of apprehension and worry regarding future threats or perceived dangers. According to the DSM-5-TR standards adopted by the American Counseling Association (ACA), it is distinguished from normal fear by being disproportional to the actual risk and by its tendency to persist beyond developmentally appropriate periods. Clinically, it involves a combination of emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms—such as restlessness, muscle tension, and "racing thoughts"—that significantly impair a person’s ability to function in social, occupational, or personal settings.