What is a key characteristic of an anxiety disorder?

A key characteristic of an anxiety disorder is the long-lasting, intense experience of anxiety. This persistent anxiety can significantly impact an individual's daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. It encompasses a range of symptoms, such as excessive worry, fear, restlessness, and physical symptoms like increased heart rate and sweating.

While it is true that an individual with an anxiety disorder may experience significant apprehension or fear in various situations, the defining feature is the duration and intensity of the anxiety itself, rather than situational fears or symptoms that might be more characteristic of other conditions. For example, extreme fear of social situations indicates social anxiety disorder specifically but does not capture the broader experience of anxiety disorders as a whole. Similarly, suicidal ideation is more indicative of mood disorders, and disconnection from reality aligns more closely with psychotic disorders, rather than anxiety disorders.