Anxiety

Anxiety is a state of excessive worry, fear or tension that can be a normal response to uncertainty or, when persistent and disruptive, a feature of a diagnosable disorder.

Ordinary anxiety sharpens attention before a challenge and fades afterward. It becomes a clinical concern when it is out of proportion to the situation, hard to control and interferes with work, relationships or sleep. Physical signs include a racing heart, shortness of breath, muscle tension, restlessness, stomach upset and trouble concentrating. Anxiety disorders, which include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias, are among the most common mental health conditions.

Clinicians assess anxiety through interviews and validated questionnaires, and established care includes psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication. Cannabidiol has been studied in small human trials for anxiety, with some encouraging signals, but questions about which populations respond and for how long remain unanswered and no approved use exists.