What Causes Anxiety?

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

There are many factors and reasons as to what causes anxiety. We all know stress plays a major role and that panic and anxiety attacks occur during different stressful situations.

What Causes Anxiety

Anxiety is a general term that covers several mental disorders. Stress and worry, nervousness and fear are all interrelated.

Not only do these factors affect us emotionally, but they can also affect a person physically and these symptoms are very real.

I have discussed in previous articles how it affects everyone at different times, such as with school exams, meeting new people socially or having to perform in front of people.

What causes anxiety for those who suffer with this disorder all the time?

A publication written by the Australian Department of Health and Aging states that:

The causes of a particular disorder vary, and it is not always easy to determine a cause in every case.

Genetic factors
It is well established that the tendency to develop anxiety disorders runs in families. This is similar to a predisposition to other illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease.

People may also learn anxious responses from parents or other family members.

Biochemical factors
Some anxiety disorders may be related, in part, to a chemical imbalance in the brain. The neurotransmitter that regulates feelings and physical reactions may be involved.

Temperament
People with certain temperaments are more prone to anxiety disorders.

People who are easily aroused and upset, and are very sensitive and emotional, are more likely to develop anxiety disorders.

People who as children were inhibited and shy may be prone to develop certain anxiety disorders, such as social phobia. Read More

Natural Therapy Pages also agree as to what causes anxiety, as to possible genetic factors being involved.

Fear can be triggered by external objects or situations. Our reaction to fear manifests in anxiety, an internal vague feelings that “something bad is going to happen”. Our internal, negative self-talk supports our feelings that the “worst is going to happen”.

Environmental factors that can cause anxiety include trauma, such as abuse, death of loved ones, money worries, personal relationship issues and stressors from your daily personal and professional life.

Anxiety can occur in people experiencing a medical crisis, such as a chronic or long-term illness. As the person experiences the trauma of the illness, he or she starts imagining the pain or trauma will continue or become worse.

Genetics factors can cause anxiety. Studies show that a family history of anxiety increases the chance that a person will also develop anxiety.

Anxiety can also occur with mental health problems. The problem becomes worse when substances are used to hide the underlying pain of anxiety. When the pain of anxiety heightens, a person could experience depression or can lead to self-medication with alcohol and drugs.

Whatever the reasons as to what causes anxiety, whether it be your own issues or your friends or family, they are ‘real’ issues. I certainly have my own…do you? Let me know in the comments below and if you feel this article could be of benefit to others, please click to share.