An idiom describing a state of extreme anxiety or concern that is so intense it causes physical discomfort or illness.
This phrase reflects the ancient understanding that mental distress can manifest as physical symptoms. 'Worry' comes from Old English 'wyrgan' meaning 'to strangle,' while the connection to sickness acknowledges that anxiety literally makes the body feel unwell.
The word 'worry' originally meant 'to strangle or choke' - when dogs worried sheep, they grabbed them by the throat. This violent origin perfectly captures how anxiety feels like it's choking us, cutting off our mental air supply and making us physically sick with stress!
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