Which term describes the fear and discomfort experienced by someone anticipating a stressful event?

The term that describes the fear and discomfort experienced by someone anticipating a stressful event is anticipatory anxiety. This type of anxiety arises in the lead-up to an event or situation perceived as threatening or challenging, causing individuals to feel a sense of dread, worry, or restlessness about what is to come.

Anticipatory anxiety can manifest in various ways, including physical symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, and difficulty concentrating, as well as emotional symptoms such as excessive worry and irritability. Understanding this concept is critical for mental health technicians, as it helps in identifying and addressing anxiety-related issues in patients, particularly during therapy or counseling sessions.

In contrast, general anxiety encompasses a broader and more pervasive sense of anxiety that may not be tied to a specific event. Panic anxiety refers to intense and often unexpected panic attacks rather than the ongoing worry about future events. Situational anxiety is related to anxiety that occurs in specific situations or environments but does not necessarily relate to the anticipatory nature that anticipatory anxiety signifies.