invalid anxiety

[ɪnˈvælɪd ˈæŋzaɪəti]
noun phrasepl: invalid anxieties
ansiedade infundada / ansiedade injustificada
1. Worry or fear that lacks a valid or reasonable basis; anxiety about matters that are not logically problematic or threatening
She experienced invalid anxiety about the meeting, despite having prepared thoroughly and received positive feedback in the past.
Ela experimentou ansiedade infundada sobre a reunião, apesar de ter se preparado completamente e ter recebido feedback positivo no passado.
2. In psychology, anxiety that arises from irrational or unfounded thoughts rather than from genuine threats
The therapist helped the patient recognize that much of his invalid anxiety stemmed from catastrophic thinking patterns.
O terapeuta ajudou o paciente a reconhecer que grande parte de sua ansiedade injustificada provinha de padrões de pensamento catastrófico.
The concept of 'invalid anxiety' is increasingly discussed in both American and Brazilian mental health contexts, particularly with the rise of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices. In Brazil, there's growing awareness of anxiety disorders among younger populations in urban centers, while traditional attitudes sometimes dismissed such worries as 'fraqueza de caráter' (weakness of character). In the USA, the term is commonly used in clinical and therapeutic settings to help patients distinguish between rational and irrational fears.
NYC Slang
baseless stress / phantom anxiety
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unfounded anxietybaseless worryirrational fearunjustified nervousnessgroundless apprehension
Antonyms / Antônimos
valid anxietyjustified concernrational fearwell-founded worry

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
ansiedade infundada / ansiedade injustificada
Most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
ansiedade sem base / ansiedade vã
Alternative colloquial expressions
Rio de Janeiro
ansiedade brava / ansiedade à toa
More informal regional usage
Portugal
ansiedade infundada / ansiedade sem fundamento
Portuguese European Portuguese preference for 'sem fundamento'

Related Words

anxiety disordercognitive distortioncatastrophizingworrypanicphobiapsychological distress

Related Idioms & Phrases

worry about nothing
make a mountain out of a molehill
get worked up over nothing
preocupar-se à toa
fazer tempestade em copo d'água
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