Worry is a symptom of anxiety and OCD related disorders and it involves negative thinking about the outcome of events or situations. It often involves attempts to anticiate, prepare for, or prevent perceived threats or negative outcomes. While occassional worry is normal and helpful as it allows us to problem-solve and be prepared, excessive worry occurs when the frequency or intensity of the worry outweighs the the risk associated with the feared situation. Excessive worry is often disruptive and distressing and typically involves “what if” thinking. Individuals may attempt to cope with worry by reassuring themselves or seeking reassurance from others that the feared outcome won’t happen, however, reassurance tends to only offer short term relief from the worrying.
