anxiety

n. 1. A fearful mood that has a vague or no specific focus and is accompanied by bodily arousal. 2. In learning theory a secondary or conditioned drive which leads to an avoidance response. 3. In Freudian theory it can be realistic fear of possible events, a conscious expression of unexpressed and usually conflicted energy, or moral qualms. 4. In existential theory, anxiety is the emotional aspect of the constant state of uncertainty of human beings who have to choose courses of action in a world in which there are no inherent guidelines.