excessive anxiety

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive anxiety" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of anxiety that is beyond what is considered normal or manageable. Example: "Her excessive anxiety about the upcoming exam affected her ability to concentrate on her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What happens in the brain of someone experiencing excessive anxiety is not fully understood.

The Guardian

It seemed that neurogenesis had been the culprit behind the earlier runners' excessive anxiety.

The New York Times

First and foremost, the goal of C.B.T. is to relieve the suffering of excessive anxiety.

The New York Times

Thanks to an extensive pre-coating of anti- perspirant there are no telltale signs of excessive anxiety and the applause at the end goes beyond the mere polite.

The Guardian - Money

"Generally, as a rule of thumb, anything that might cause excessive anxiety or stress hormones will cause an increase in wakefulness, preventing a proper night's sleep".

Independent

He said that in Mr. García's outpatient recovery more than 20 years ago he told family members that the leader should take lithium whenever he displayed manic behavior like "insomnia, erratic mood changes or excessive anxiety".

The New York Times

Excessive anxiety can make it almost impossible for the student to focus on their exam and it is often the case that they struggle to recall things that they have studied.

Independent

High-pressure events – such as giving a paper at a conference or a job interview – prompt worry and stress (as they do for almost everyone), but it's the meaning attached to those events that fuels excessive anxiety and sometimes panic attacks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This type of plasticity may be a homeostatic mechanism to prevent excessive anxiety-like behaviors, because the juxtacapsular nucleus has been proposed to have a feedback inhibitory input to the basolateral amygdala, which in turn control fear responses.

Alcohol research : current reviews

I don't believe a word of that; I put it down to excessive maternal anxiety.

The New York Times - Food

Testing, of course, is a highly charged issue in education, drawing criticism that too much promotes rote learning, swallows valuable time for learning new things and causes excessive student anxiety.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or formal writing, use "excessive anxiety" when discussing clinical or diagnostic criteria, as it's a recognized term in psychology and psychiatry. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Do not use "excessive anxiety" loosely to describe everyday stress or nervousness. It specifically refers to a level of anxiety that significantly impairs functioning. Use less clinical language when describing routine stress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive anxiety" functions as a noun phrase, where "excessive" modifies the noun "anxiety". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correctly used to describe anxiety that goes beyond the normal or expected level. It is often employed in contexts where the intensity or frequency of anxiety is problematic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive anxiety" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a level of anxiety beyond what is considered normal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across different contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news media, this term helps to precisely describe mental health conditions and their impacts. When using "excessive anxiety", it's important to distinguish it from typical stress and to align the phrase with clinical or diagnostic discussions for accuracy. Alternatives like "overwhelming anxiety" or "intense anxiety" may be considered for variety, depending on the specific shade of meaning intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming anxiety

Emphasizes the overpowering nature of the anxiety.

intense anxiety

Highlights the high degree or strength of the anxiety.

extreme anxiety

Stresses the severity and extremity of the anxiety.

exaggerated anxiety

Suggests the anxiety is amplified beyond what is reasonable.

undue anxiety

Indicates the anxiety is unwarranted or inappropriate for the situation.

unreasonable anxiety

Points to the irrational nature of the anxiety.

disproportionate anxiety

Highlights that the anxiety is out of proportion to the actual threat.

inordinate anxiety

Emphasizes the excessive or unrestrained quality of the anxiety.

unnecessary anxiety

Indicates the anxiety is avoidable and not needed.

uncontrolled anxiety

Focuses on the inability to manage or regulate the anxiety.

FAQs

How to use "excessive anxiety" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive anxiety" to describe a level of anxiety that is beyond what is considered normal or manageable. For instance: "Her excessive anxiety about the upcoming exam affected her ability to concentrate on her studies."

What can I say instead of "excessive anxiety"?

You can use alternatives like "overwhelming anxiety", "intense anxiety", or "extreme anxiety" depending on the context.

When is anxiety considered "excessive"?

Anxiety is considered "excessive" when it is disproportionate to the situation, difficult to control, and interferes with daily life. This often involves persistent worry and physical symptoms such as restlessness or muscle tension.

What is the difference between "excessive anxiety" and normal anxiety?

"Excessive anxiety" differs from normal anxiety in its intensity, duration, and impact on daily functioning. Normal anxiety is a typical response to stress, whereas "excessive anxiety" is persistent, overwhelming, and can lead to significant distress or impairment.