What is anxiety and do I have it? So What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a basic human emotion that all of us experience in our life. Anxiety is a natural response to stress, although it's a very uncomfortable emotion, it is meant to protect us, to help us prepare, and it helps keep us safe. Anxiety can be characterized by feelings of worry, fear, or unease. Anxiety symptoms can affect both the mind and body, often causing persistent worry, fear, or unease that feels difficult to control.  Common emotional symptoms of anxiety: Excessive nervousness Restlessness Hypervigilance Feeling of dread Overthinking Unable to make decisions (often needing to turn to others to help make a choice) Difficulty concentrating Dissociation Catastrophizing Irritability Emotional numbness Physically symptoms of...