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Anxiety can be helpful but most people think of anxiety, more specificallygeneralized anxiety disorder(GAD), in a negative sense. It is an emotion that makes us feel uncomfortable and tense, and it is a state we want to relieve as soon as possible.Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety DisorderGAD can cause problems in everyday situations due to symptoms such as these:Persistent worrying or obsession about small or large concerns that are out of proportion to the impact of the eventInability to set aside or let go of a worryInability to relax, restlessness, and feeling keyed up or on edgeDifficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank"Worrying about excessively worryingDistress about making decisions for fear of making the wrong decisionCarrying every option in a situation all the way out to its possible negative conclusionDifficulty handling uncertainty or indecisivenessPhysical signs and symptomsmay cause a variety of ailments, including:FatigueIrritabilityMuscle tension or muscle achesTrembling, feeling twitchyBeing easily startledTrouble sleepingSweatingNausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndromeHeadachesHow Anxiety Is HelpfulSimilar toeustress, a type of “positive” stress that keeps us vital and excited about life, anxiety can also offer a variety of positive things to our lives:Motivation: Sometimes we need a dose of anxiety to motivate to do things. If you did not fear negative consequences that led to feeling some anxiety, it would be unlikely that you could be dedicated to the rules of your workplace, be able to complete schoolwork, or become motivated to do something that does not sound pleasurable. Research shows that anxiety is a powerful motivating force. It drives us to do things in a way that few other feelings do.Preparation: If you have a big speech, test or event on the horizon, you may feel anxious as it approaches. This anxiety drives you to prepare for the situation, to cover all the bases and to consider what you would do in worst-case scenarios. Certainly, people can do all of these things without anxiety, but it is our body’s natural way of driving us to do it. Studies show that in certain situations, anxiety can help you be more prepared for a disaster or difficult situation.Attention: When we are anxious, our attention shifts to things that are important in our lives. It makes us recognize things that deserve our attention and then becomes instrumental in preparation and motivation. When you are anxious about an upcoming event, your anxiety forces you to recognize it and pay attention in a way that will ideally help you succeed.Protection: Since anxiety is often related to fear, it is a way to protect us from danger. We can become anxious in situations that could cause us to harm or even kill us, and this natural anxiety feeling prevents that. Unfortunately for people with GAD, this is the mechanism that often contributes to viewing many situations as dangerous which actually are not.Communication: Finally, when people are anxious they are compelled to communicate and share these feelings. It is a way our body helps us find support and a safe place, and it can be effective in helpingrelationshipswork properly.The next time you are experiencing anxiety, take a moment and ask yourself what purpose this anxiety is serving you, is it helpful or not. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take tomanage your anxiety.If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.The 7 Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

Anxiety can be helpful but most people think of anxiety, more specificallygeneralized anxiety disorder(GAD), in a negative sense. It is an emotion that makes us feel uncomfortable and tense, and it is a state we want to relieve as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD can cause problems in everyday situations due to symptoms such as these:

Physical signs and symptomsmay cause a variety of ailments, including:

How Anxiety Is Helpful

Similar toeustress, a type of “positive” stress that keeps us vital and excited about life, anxiety can also offer a variety of positive things to our lives:

The next time you are experiencing anxiety, take a moment and ask yourself what purpose this anxiety is serving you, is it helpful or not. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take tomanage your anxiety.

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The 7 Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).Gonçalves J, Lopes P, Esteves F, Fernández-Berrocal P.Must We Suffer to Succeed?: When Anxiety Boosts Motivation and Performance.Journal of Individual Differences. 2017;38:113-124. doi:10.1027/1614-0001/a000228Wirtz P, Rohrbeck C, Burns K.Anxiety effects on disaster precautionary behaviors: A multi-path cognitive model.J Health Psychol. 2019;24(10):1401-1411. doi:10.1177%2F1359105317720277Hengen K, Alpers G.What’s the Risk? Fearful Individuals Generally Overestimate Negative Outcomes and They Dread Outcomes of Specific Events.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1676. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01676Additional ReadingMayo Clinic. Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).Gonçalves J, Lopes P, Esteves F, Fernández-Berrocal P.Must We Suffer to Succeed?: When Anxiety Boosts Motivation and Performance.Journal of Individual Differences. 2017;38:113-124. doi:10.1027/1614-0001/a000228Wirtz P, Rohrbeck C, Burns K.Anxiety effects on disaster precautionary behaviors: A multi-path cognitive model.J Health Psychol. 2019;24(10):1401-1411. doi:10.1177%2F1359105317720277Hengen K, Alpers G.What’s the Risk? Fearful Individuals Generally Overestimate Negative Outcomes and They Dread Outcomes of Specific Events.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1676. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01676Additional ReadingMayo Clinic. Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).Gonçalves J, Lopes P, Esteves F, Fernández-Berrocal P.Must We Suffer to Succeed?: When Anxiety Boosts Motivation and Performance.Journal of Individual Differences. 2017;38:113-124. doi:10.1027/1614-0001/a000228Wirtz P, Rohrbeck C, Burns K.Anxiety effects on disaster precautionary behaviors: A multi-path cognitive model.J Health Psychol. 2019;24(10):1401-1411. doi:10.1177%2F1359105317720277Hengen K, Alpers G.What’s the Risk? Fearful Individuals Generally Overestimate Negative Outcomes and They Dread Outcomes of Specific Events.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1676. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01676

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Gonçalves J, Lopes P, Esteves F, Fernández-Berrocal P.Must We Suffer to Succeed?: When Anxiety Boosts Motivation and Performance.Journal of Individual Differences. 2017;38:113-124. doi:10.1027/1614-0001/a000228

Wirtz P, Rohrbeck C, Burns K.Anxiety effects on disaster precautionary behaviors: A multi-path cognitive model.J Health Psychol. 2019;24(10):1401-1411. doi:10.1177%2F1359105317720277

Hengen K, Alpers G.What’s the Risk? Fearful Individuals Generally Overestimate Negative Outcomes and They Dread Outcomes of Specific Events.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1676. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01676

Mayo Clinic. Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

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