General public definition
- Clinical anxiety is currently not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
- The term clinical anxiety is used colloquially to describe anxiety symptoms severe enough to require formal medical or mental health treatment.
- Clinical anxiety symptoms can include intense worry, nervousness, restlessness, rapid heart rate, muscle tension, irritability, trouble concentrating, and feelings of worry or dread, or physical changes such as increased blood pressure.
- See the “Anxiety disorder” section for more information.
Academic definition
- Clinical anxiety is currently not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
- The term clinical anxiety is used colloquially to describe anxiety symptoms severe enough to require formal medical or mental health treatment. It can refer to a number of different diagnoses (e.g. generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder).
- Refer to the “Anxiety disorder” section for more information.
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