You Might Not Be Anxious. You Might Just Be Alive (On Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis Criteria).

Anguish exists. Life is often difficult, and discomfort is part of being human. Not every racing heart, restless night, or moment of unease points to an anxiety disorder.

In clinical terms, anxiety disorder diagnosis criteria involve:

• Excessive worry that feels uncontrollable

• Duration of symptoms lasting at least six months (for generalized anxiety disorder)

• Physical symptoms such as tension, fatigue, irritability, or poor sleep

• Functional impairment — when the distress interferes with work, relationships, or daily life

Without these elements, what you’re experiencing may be anguish, stress, or the ordinary weight of living through uncertainty. None of that is easy, but it does not necessarily mean a diagnosable condition.

Life can feel hard without meeting the threshold for an anxiety disorder diagnosis

This difference matters. Over-diagnosing normal human distress risks narrowing the range of what we consider life. Underdiagnosing true anxiety leaves people suffering without help. Both require attention, but not the same kind.

Therapy supports both realities. For those with anxiety disorders, it provides treatment and strategies to manage symptoms. For those struggling with life’s ordinary anguish, it offers a place to carry the weight with perspective and care.