Anxiety: The Mind’s Alert System and Copilot

What is Anxiety? 

Anxiety is the anticipation of an uncertain future [APA, 2026]. No matter how accurate our predictions are, the future's certainty eludes us until the present finally arrives and gives us a dose of unrelenting reality. When anxiety is described this way, it can sound rather terrifying, but the truth of the matter is that we experience this every day, albeit in varying degrees that are typically on the lower end of the "anxiety" distribution. From a scientific perspective, the American Psychological Association describes anxiety as "apprehension and somatic symptoms of tension in which an individual anticipates impending danger, catastrophe, or misfortune." (APA, 2026)

In other words, anxiety is the thoughts and feelings we have when we worry about harmful future events coming to pass. It is closely related to fear, though the feeling of fear is based on much more immediate threats. 

Anxiety can take on many forms, whether it rises just as quickly as it falls like a wave, or it remains a long, dreadful presence in your stomach. Sometimes the tension it causes in the body varies from person to person, with some experiencing it like a tightness in their chest, while others feel a headache. Part of the reason for this is that anxiety releases hormones that induce stress and, therefore, cause certain parts of the body to react, like tightening muscles, gastrointestinal disturbances, body aches, problems concentrating, and blurry vision.

Knowing these somatic markers can help you identify how your anxiety tends to manifest in the body and when. 

The function of Anxiety 

So far, anxiety may seem like a feeling that serves no purpose except to cause uncomfortable sensations, and occasionally, the creeping existential dread. But it also shares a similar function to

fear, which is meant to protect us from potential dangers and threats. However, sometimes the threats we perceive are not as dangerous as we feel.

Anxiety can serve as a sort of internal copilot to guide action on something that your mind identifies as important. When you need to drive to the grocery store while there is ice on the road, it not only makes sense to feel anxious about driving, but it can also serve to help you be more careful about road hazards. This might suggest that anxiety indicates safety is important to you. 

Alternatively, if you feel tense and worried about giving a presentation at your workplace, anxiety might indicate you believe it is important to do your best or achieve the approval of others. Productively, feeling anxious or worried about the future can elicit preparatory behavior. Think historically - anticipation of winter prompted our ancestors to plant in summer and harvest in autumn. Ignoring anxiety would have been devastating! 

At mild to moderate levels, anxiety can effectively prompt one to prepare for the future, planning a harvest, driving cautiously on the ice, or spending extra time preparing for a presentation. 

Too Much Anxiety Can Cause Disorder

Beyond the helpful prompting of anxiety, too much anxiety can cause a maladaptive function.  When anxiety is experienced on the higher end of the distribution and not well-regulated, it causes inhibitory responses rather than prompting action. For example, maybe driving on an icy road causes more than apprehension and instead causes you to avoid driving completely, even when the roads are considered safe. Or instead of preparing for a presentation, you might notice procrastinating or ruminating on possible criticisms from your coworkers. 

Moreover, the anxiety persists for days at a time without relief, negatively affecting your mood and behavior in such a way that damages relationships, your ability to work and function, and your physical health. When anxiety is experienced at this level of severity and for long durations of time, it can be indicative of a dysfunctional level of anxiety. This is what is commonly understood as Anxiety Disorders. 

Signs you may struggle with Anxiety. 

If you are experiencing difficulties with anxiety and managing it, take a look at the following signs and symptoms and see how many you relate to.

• Excessive worry for most of the week, for several months, about several events or activities (e.g., work or academic performance). 

• Difficulty controlling worry.

• Restless or feeling "on edge."

• Becoming easily exhausted.

• Struggling to concentrate, or mind is going blank.

• Problems with mood, like irritability.

• Muscle tension (tight muscles, body aches, gastrointestinal disturbances, etc.)

• Sleep problems (falling or staying asleep).

Before you start thinking you need to self-diagnose with an anxiety disorder, remember that these are all signs of anxiety that everybody experiences at some point in their lives, similar to how everybody experiences depressive bouts at some point in their lives. Consider answering these two questions for yourself:

1. Is it difficult to manage my worries?

2. Has this been happening for the past several months or more?

3. Is the anxiety and worry interfering with the things that are important to me?

If you answered 'no' to these questions, then you likely have effective coping skills and, at worst, are challenged with enduring some stressful events in your life. 

I Think I Have Anxiety, Now What? 

If you think anxiety may be more severe than what you are currently capable of managing, you may benefit from professional assistance. Consider contacting us at Inland Insight, and we can help you identify the causes of your anxiety and create effective coping strategies. We would love to be your support system. You can contact us via our website, www.inlandinsight.com, or call us at 509-359-8807.