Anxiety is a natural and appropriate response to a real threat, helping us stay alert, focused, and prepared to handle the threat. It can be helpful in certain situations but can become abnormal when excessive or disproportionate to the actual threat. Anxiety disorders are those where people experience intense and persistent feelings of worry, fear, or unease, even when there is no immediate threat present. This excessive anxiety can interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall well-being. For example, intense anxiety and panic attacks in situations that are usually harmless, such as going to a grocery store or meeting new people, can be considered abnormal.
In summary, anxiety is an appropriate response to a real threat, helping us react and protect ourselves. However, when anxiety becomes excessive and disproportionate to the actual threat, it can indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder.