Worry: quick facts
Worry is the mental activity of dwelling on possible future problems, turning over what might go wrong. It is the cognitive companion of anxiety, consisting largely of repetitive thoughts about uncertain or threatening…
Category
Complex & secondary emotions
Valence
Negative
Emotion family / blend
Fear
Typical triggers
Uncertain outcomes, potential problems, responsibilities, what-ifs
How it's expressed
Furrowed brow, restlessness, fidgeting, distracted gaze, tense posture
Sources: American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion; Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions; Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (Robert Plutchik) — overview; National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — Anxiety Disorders. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.