Which of the following is a common feature of anxiety disorders?

Excessive worry is a hallmark characteristic of anxiety disorders. This feature manifests as an uncontrollable and persistent concern about various aspects of life, such as health, work, social interactions, and everyday situations. Individuals with anxiety disorders often find it difficult to manage these worries, which can lead to significant distress and impairment in functioning.

Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Phobias, all of which may involve feelings of excessive worry to varying degrees. For example, people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder primarily experience pervasive and excessive anxiety about a variety of life activities.

The other options do not represent common features associated with anxiety disorders. Persistent sadness is more aligned with mood disorders like depression. Hallucinations typically relate to psychotic disorders, indicating a disconnect with reality, and while social withdrawal can occur in anxiety disorders, it is not as definitive a feature as excessive worry. Thus, excessive worry stands out as a defining characteristic of anxiety disorders.