What's the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

[bishvabis]

I know what anxiety is, I just don't know when having anxiety becomes a disorder. Can anyone explain it to me?

[Faber]

When it has a significant effect on your life.

[doublelongdaddy]

Anxiety, when unfounded, is an anxiety disorder. Within this spectrum of disorders it could manifest itself as OCD, mania, depression, etc. This is a tough cookie to deal with and I have written heavily on the topic, so please search out some of my articles on Mental Health. I suffer with many, what society would call, disorders but I view them very differently. I have literally changed each diagnosis to a benefit for me.

Anxiety Disorder:
I am in the process of fixing something. There is an imbalance and I am continuously leveling that balance. My Anxiety Disorder is my detection system to becoming a better person

Bi-Polar:
Creativity and Rest. I become blessed with so much creativity, the ability to get so much work done, the ability to do whatever I need to do. When I crash, (depression) I look at it as rest. I have done a good job and now it is time to rest.

Schizophrenia
I have 4 other people in my brain who are always there to help me, keep me company and get me through my day:)

OCD
I have the ability to think about something long enough to figure it out!

It is all about perspective an self language. Anxiety is the Universes way of telling us that something is out of balance. It is up to us to change the way we are thinking then the universe will change with that. We get what we ask for regardless if it is good or bad, the universe knows no difference. How do we ask? Through our thought and feelings...we literally feel an think everything in to existence.

[REDZULU2003]

I know what anxiety is, I just don't know when having anxiety becomes a disorder. Can anyone explain it to me?

In a nutshell Anxiety is the bodies natural reaction to stress with the fight or flight response. We all need some anxiety in order to survive or else when crossing the road we'd be dead! However it becomes a disorder when it impacts on our daily lives so much that we cannot live a normal way of existence such as leaving the house without fear or people simply looking at us or example or intense anxiety in social situations pretty much all the time.

That is then a disorder and not a typical reaction to stress like everyone else. Anxiety is devastating when it becomes a disorder. You become chained and imprisoned by it. I speak from experience here. Its not easy to overcome, simply thinking positive doesn't swat it. Takes lots of mental strength, determination, support from family or/and friends to overcome it and at times help with medication whether that be western/eastern or whatever one likes to use.

One plus I can mention about having anxiety disorders is that I adapt to very stressful situations rather more quickly then other people do because of my constant exposure to it. So when the high stress event kicks in, my anxiety levels have already been there and done that, so I know how to deal with it better if that makes sense. The other people just get it now and again so to have it in one fall swoop is a system shock. I passed driving tests pretty quickly because the nerves to me seemed 'normal' everyday.

Hope this helps.

[doublelongdaddy]

Anxiety, if viewed in a certain way, can feel like excitement. Perspective is everything.