担心、担忧或忧虑代表思想、形象及负面情绪，人类会做出一些心理尝试以防止受到潜在的威胁。处于担心状态可引致焦虑、抑郁及毁掉现状。过量的担心可引起广泛性焦虑症。

Worry refers to the thoughts, images and emotions of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats. As an emotion it is experienced as anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issue, often personal issues such as health or finances, or broader issues such as environmental pollution and social or technological change. Most people experience short-lived periods of worry in their lives without incident; indeed, a moderate amount of worrying may even have positive effects, if it prompts people to take precautions (e.g., fastening their seat belt or buying fire insurance) or avoid risky behaviours (e.g., angering dangerous animals, or binge drinking).