It can range from a vague feeling of uneasiness and discomfort to intense feeling or terror and impending doom.
Anxiety produces an increase in various physiological and mental processes.
That increase can motivate us to more thoroughly prepare for performance situations like examinations and athletic competition, but it can also become so intense that it interferes with our ability to function normally in every day activities. Such is the case when we become overly anxious during an examination and cannot recall a concept we thoroughly studied the previous evening. Constant anxiety may signal an anxiety disorder. Overall uneasiness and discomfort, worry, tension, inability to relax, sleep disturbance, frequent urination, shallow breathing, edginess, trouble concentrating, and apprehension are typical symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety which persists over an extended period of time with frequent periods of high intensity is indicative of an anxiety disorder.