Anxiety is a normal and expected component of daily life and human emotions. It can be managed and controlled through coping skills or mindfulness-based practices such as breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, counting numbers, tapping the body, or anything that can focus attention on the present moment. 

In contrast, an anxiety disorder is a form of neurosis that encompasses a variety of mental health conditions characterized by emotional distress, worry, and various forms of inner conflict.

Individuals with neurotic symptoms often experience excessive worry, stress, and difficulty coping with everyday life. Examples of neurotic disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and phobias. Some people with anxiety disorders recognize that their fears are irrational, yet are unable to control those thoughts and fears, even though they have tried to cope with anxiety by using different kinds of techniques or positive affirmation.  Although coping mechanisms may work for a while, anxiety often returns either repeatedly or in a different but similar pattern.