Learn how to recognize the signs of anxiety, a common mental health condition that can affect your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Find out the differences between normal and clinical anxiety, the types of anxiety disorders and how to get help. Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but an anxiety disorder causes significant or frequent worry that can impact your life in many ways. Symptoms might be subtle at first, and may even seem unrelated to an anxiety disorder—potentially affecting your mood, focus, sleep, and digestion. 1. 1. Sleep Disturbances. Anxiety causes significant worry or fear that doesn't go away and may even get worse over time. Learn the signs of anxiety disorders and treatments that can help. Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition includes symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a physical health problem. Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even ordinary, routine issues.