What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety sufferers and their families struggle to understand
the cause of anxiety.
Because of the dynamic impact that anxiety can have on families, many believe that if they can get to the root cause of their anxiety then they will have a better chance of overcoming it.
Some experts believe that anxiety has a biological/chemical cause. This is based on the fact that many people have anxiety symptoms which include increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, sweating and shortness of breath.
Some researchers believe that genetics play a role in anxiety. Many sufferers say that they remember their father or mother often seeming “anxious” or “inhibited.”
Some medical professionals believe that anxiety attacks may be caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. In particular, two neurotransmitters (chemical message carriers), called dopamine and serotonin, are believed to regulate mood and behavior. An imbalance of these neurotransmitters may contribute to the causes of anxiety.
Gary Miller, author of “Prisoners Of Our Thoughts,” says that while most people want to know what causes them to have anxiety, it is equally important to understand why sufferers maintain their anxious behavior.
“When you are filling your mind with worrisome thoughts, it is difficult to concentrate on anything else (like finding a solution to your problems.) These worried or negative thoughts are often tied to that ‘little negative person’ that lives in our head.”
In people who develop Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), anxiety attack symptoms often occur first during childhood or adolescence, but they can also begin in adulthood, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of anxiety.
Anxiety attacks affect people of all ages, and the disorder is twice as likely to affect women as men. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 19 million Americans suffer from depression and 4 million from Generalized Anxiety Disorder each year.
Researchers continue to gain insights into the causes of anxiety and their relationship to genetics and experience.
Although the causes of anxiety are not always known, the symptoms are recognizable, and effective treatments are available.
If you or someone you love suffers from anxiety, seek professional help so that you can understand the cause of your anxiety and reclaim your life.