Many things cause people to feel anxious so stress is a normal part of life. A little anxiety can be good. For example, if a person has a project to finish, stress can help them focus and finish the job.

Too much stress can cause a person to have trouble doing daily activities and enjoying life. An anxiety disorder happens when a person has too much worry that lasts a long time or gets worse over time.

People may get disorders during stressful events such as a serious illness, financial problems, or the loss of a loved one. Diseases of the heart and lungs often cause anxiety. For example, up to 40 percent of people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD, a type of lung disease) have anxiety.

Anxiety also can happen with depression.

Last Updated February 2023