When discussing anxiety, it is important to distinguish between anxiety and anxiety disorders. Anxiety is a common feeling that everyone will experience to lesser or higher degrees at some point in their lives. You may feel anxiety about anything from a job interview to a first date or speaking in front of a large audience. While these feelings can be overwhelming, they typically go away on their own or when the triggering event has passed. In contrast, anxiety disorder is a persistent form of anxiety with frequently occurring symptoms that may appear with or without any apparent trigger. When there is a definite trigger, the symptoms may occur with much more intensity or duration than reasonable. Unfortunately, anxiety disorders are often chronic, lifelong conditions. While some may overcome an anxiety disorder, many people do not. At the same time, anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and many individuals with anxiety disorders are able to significantly reduce the impact anxiety has on their lives through a combination of medication and therapy.