PsycHe Finer PoinTs

What Causes Anxiety?

There is no one cause for anxiety, however there are a few factors that contribute to a person developing anxiety. Scientists have three potential causes, and have broke them down into three parts, brain chemistry, heredity, and life experiences.
Scientists and researchers are learning more about the factors that cause the development of an anxiety disorder. With new technologies and with more awareness of anxiety disorders, experts can learn more about the psychological and biological effects along with the development of an anxiety disorder. As researchers are learning more about the causes of this disorder they are therefore able to provide better treatment, and possibly in the future, provide prevention measures.
The following are thought to be triggers of anxiety disorders:

• Brain Chemistry
• Heredity
• Life Experiences

Brain Chemistry and/or Chemical Imbalance:

In a large number of cases, individuals with symptoms of anxiety disorders are usually prescribed medications that change or alter the chemicals of the brain. Because symptoms of anxiety disorders are, in most cases, helped by medication, experts believe that brain chemistry seems to play a part in the trigger of anxiety disorders.

Chemical messengers, or Neurotransmitters, in the brain that regulate thought and feeling sometimes have a problem with brain messages sent out because of a chemical imbalance. Two of the primary neurotransmitters that affect thought and feeling are serotonin and dopamine. When these chemicals have an imbalance, one can feel depressed or anxious.

Scientific evidence tells us that anxiety-related problems such as stress, panic, and exaggerated fears are the result of a imbalance between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Positron emission tomography or (PET) scans are being done to study this evidence.
Heredity and/or Genetics:

There is evidence that anxiety disorders run in families. If parents or other close relatives have an anxiety disorder, children are at higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder in the future.

Being raised in a family where fear and anxiety are shown on a constant day to day basis can affect a person in adulthood. The brain and its learned behavior is inherited which is reason enough to believe anxiety is heredity. By changing the way one thinks, and changing thought patterns with Cognitive Behavior Therapy, one can overcome anxiety.

Life Experiences:

Researchers believe that the relationship between anxiety disorders and a life of abuse, violence, or poverty is grounds for further study, as these life experiences may affect an individual's exposure to these disorders. Experts believe that anxiety is a learned behavior that can be unlearned. Events in childhood may lead to certain fears that, over time, develop into a anxiety disorder.
In some cases anxiety can be triggered by caffeine, cocaine, and amphetamines. It is a known fact that cocaine use over time can cause feelings of panic, and this terror often continues for years after the drug is stopped. Exhaustion and other stimulants, and even the side effects of certain medications can cause the symptoms of anxiety. Being taught to hold back negative feelings such as anger, or an excessive need for approval, can also be possible triggers.

However, there may be no clear reason why a person feels anxious. It could be a combination of one's personality, the things that have happened to them, or life-changes such as pregnancy, a new job, or loss of a loved one.

Some people who have the symptoms of anxiety have feelings of being out of control. This might be due to rising debts, along with work or study pressures. For another, anxiety could stem from a stressful situation or experience.

source: www.livingwithanxiety.com/anxiety-causes.htm