What Are the Most Common Causes of Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are complex mental health issues. While anxiety is a deeply personal experience, some common themes often play a role in anxiety’s development and severity. Understanding the root causes of anxiety is an important part of getting help. Here are some of the most common causes of anxiety.

Family Genetics

Anxiety disorders often run in families. Studies show that if you have a close family member with an anxiety disorder, you’re more likely to have anxiety yourself. While it’s not guaranteed that you’ll inherit the condition, these genetic factors can increase your risk. However, it’s important to remember that genetics are just one piece of the puzzle; many other factors often interact with genetic predispositions to trigger or intensify anxiety symptoms.

Brain Chemistry and Structure

Research has found that neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical messengers, play a role in how we experience anxiety. For instance, low levels of serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are often associated with heightened anxiety, since these neurotransmitters help to regulate mood. Structurally, people with anxiety tend to have a more active amygdala, which is the part of the brain responsible for processing fear. When this part of the brain is overactive, it can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, even in situations that aren’t necessarily threatening.

Past Traumatic Experiences

Trauma that happens during childhood is more likely to lead to anxiety later in life, but traumatic events at any time can cause mental health issues. Traumatic events like abuse, loss, neglect, or significant life changes can leave long-lasting imprints on the mind. The brain may become hypersensitive to perceived threats, leading to a pattern of anxiety responses. This is especially true for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whose past traumatic experiences can cause panic attacks, flashbacks, and nightmares.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress, whether from work, difficult relationships, financial issues, or other life pressures, is a major cause of anxiety. When we’re under stress, our body releases cortisol, one of the main stress hormones. While occasional stress can be beneficial in short bursts, chronic stress causes cortisol to build up in the body, which can lead to physical and mental health issues, including anxiety.

Lifestyle Choices

How we treat our bodies can influence how anxious we are. For instance, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption can increase anxiety levels, since both substances impact the central nervous system. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and not enough exercise can also lead to poor mental health.

Physical Health

Anxiety can also be tied to physical health. Conditions like heart disease, asthma, thyroid problems, and diabetes can produce symptoms that mimic or amplify anxiety, such as a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness. In some cases, the physical symptoms of these health issues can directly cause anxiety because they can make a person feel as if they’re in immediate danger. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, menopause, or puberty, can also affect mood and contribute to anxiety.

Sociocultural Influences

The pressure to succeed in various areas of life—socially, academically, and professionally—can contribute to high anxiety levels. Social media, for instance, can create feelings of inadequacy and a fear of missing out. Seeing people living seemingly perfect lives makes people feel anxious about their own. Similarly, cultural expectations around performance, success, and appearance can cause stress. Some people feel worse when they believe they aren’t meeting societal standards or their family’s pressures, which can be especially hard for those who are part of marginalized groups.

Healing the Root Causes of Anxiety

The ultimate goal of therapy isn’t just to treat the symptoms of anxiety—it’s to heal the deeper causes. A therapist can help you address past traumas, reframe your negative thought patterns, make healthier lifestyle choices, and cope with societal pressures.
To learn more about how to address the causes of your anxiety, please reach out to us soon to schedule a consultation.