excessive worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being overly concerned or anxious about something, often to an unhealthy degree. Example: "Her excessive worry about the upcoming exam was affecting her ability to concentrate on her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Often characterised by excessive worry and strong feelings of helplessness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Results confirmed that a treatment targeting excessive worry is effective for hypochondriasis.

Cognitive and Behavioral Practice

"Perhaps the excessive worry actually makes people more focused," Beaudreau said.

Stanford University

Don't ignore stress, anxiety, depression, excessive worry, or bouts of anger that overwhelm your life.

Harvard University

The idea that many psychological problems have excessive worry in common seems plausible.

The Guardian

He does not suffer the indignity of premature aging brought on by excessive worry.

The New Yorker

Participants without excessive worry completed a modified dot-probe task, designed to train attention either to threat or neutral words.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Some children need to be treated for excessive worry, when that worry begins to interfere with enjoyment of daily activities.

The New York Times

Like many of us, individuals who are prone to excessive worry tend to assume that it helps them.

The Guardian

But when it comes to the psychological p factor, there is increasing evidence that it may be excessive worry.

The Guardian

"Doctors consider that there is no need for excessive worry, but once again we should be vigilant," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing mental health, be specific about the triggers and manifestations of "excessive worry". This provides a clearer picture of the individual's experience.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive worry" to describe typical levels of concern about important matters. Reserve it for situations where the worry is disproportionate, persistent, and disruptive to daily life.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive worry" functions as a noun phrase, where "excessive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "worry". It typically serves as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

42%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive worry" is a commonly used phrase across various contexts to describe an unhealthy level of concern or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Its usage spans from news and media to scientific and academic domains, reflecting its versatile nature. While alternatives like "overblown worry" or "undue worry" exist, "excessive worry" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the concept. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately represents a disproportionate and disruptive level of concern, rather than typical levels of anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overblown worry

Replaces "excessive" with "overblown", emphasizing the exaggerated nature of the worry.

Exaggerated worry

Similar to "overblown worry", this highlights the inflated perception of threat or concern.

Undue worry

Replaces "excessive" with "undue", suggesting the worry is unwarranted or inappropriate.

Unreasonable worry

Indicates that the worry lacks a logical or rational basis.

Inappropriate worry

Suggests the worry is not suitable or fitting for the situation.

Obsessive worry

Highlights the repetitive and intrusive nature of the worrying thoughts.

Unnecessary worry

Implies the worry serves no purpose or benefit.

Overly anxious

Shifts the focus to the feeling of anxiety being too intense.

Extreme concern

Uses "extreme" to emphasize the intensity of concern, rather than worry.

Intense anxiety

Focuses on the severe and overwhelming feeling of anxiety.

FAQs

How is "excessive worry" different from normal worry?

"Excessive worry" is persistent, disproportionate to the actual threat, and interferes with daily functioning. Normal worry is typically temporary and related to specific stressors.

What are some signs of "excessive worry"?

Signs include difficulty controlling worry, restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

When should I seek help for "excessive worry"?

Seek professional help if your worry is difficult to control, causes significant distress, interferes with your daily life, or is accompanied by other symptoms like panic attacks or depression. You might also consider some alternatives such as "treatment targeting excessive worry".

What are some alternative ways to describe "excessive worry"?

You can use alternatives like "overblown worry", "unreasonable worry", or "obsessive worry" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.