Is anxiety an emotion?
This differs from aprimary emotion, an initial, direct reaction to something.
you’re free to also experience two secondary emotions at once, such as anger and anxiety.
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Theoretically, secondary emotions protect you from more complicated or painful feelings.
Learning about primary and secondary emotions can help you understand yourself and where your reactions are coming from.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
For people withgeneralized anxiety disorder(GAD), this can become very complicated.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Be open to the possibility that you are hurt, disappointed, or grieving rather than anxious.
If you sense actual fear, then your anxiety is likely in the right place.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition).
Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
National Institute of Mental Health.Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control.
