Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. Most people have a basic understanding of what it is and what it might look like. However, anxiety can impact everyone differently. There isn’t just one “type” of anxiety, and some people can cope with it better than others. Because anxiety can be so varied, what actually causes it? Where does it come from? Understanding the root of anxiety can make it easier to recognize symptoms and how they affect people differently.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at where anxiety comes from and what you can do if you’re struggling with it.
What Causes Anxiety?
Scientists haven’t been able to pin down the exact cause of anxiety disorders. However, it’s widely accepted that anxiety can be caused by anything from negative life experiences to family history. Things like stressful events, your personality, or even substance abuse can also contribute to anxiety.
We also know that anxiety stems from an area of the brain that’s responsible for controlling fear. That same area stores emotional responses and can hold onto memories that caused you to fear, bringing them forward at any given time to contribute to your anxious thoughts. There isn’t a single test that can diagnose anxiety. Rather, a health professional will typically offer several physical exams and mental health tests to determine whether someone is dealing with anxiety and what the next steps should be.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can develop anxiety. There’s a reason it’s so common! However, certain people can be more at risk due to underlying factors, including things like:
Other health conditions
Genetics
Past trauma
Personality traits
Certain stimulants, including caffeine, can also trigger anxiety in some people. Understanding these risk factors can help if you struggle with “triggers” or only seem to feel anxious at certain times.
Can You Prevent Anxiety?
Because so many factors contribute to anxious thoughts, there’s no foolproof way of completely preventing anxiety. However, you can do plenty of things to reduce the impact of anxiety and manage your symptoms more effectively. Practicing self-care is a great way to reduce the effects of anxiety. Things like relaxation exercises, meditation, and good sleeping and eating habits can also help.
How Therapy Can Help
The most important thing in managing anxiety is understanding where yours stems from. Anxiety rarely goes away on its own, but it can be managed and treated when you start to understand the root cause. What contributes to your anxiety might not be the same as it is for someone else. That can be a frustrating notion to handle on your own. Thankfully, you don’t have to.
There are several ways to treat anxiety, but therapy is one of the most common. A mental health professional will make getting to the root cause of your anxiety easier and help you work from there. You’ll learn to manage your symptoms daily. More importantly, you should eventually be able to overcome your fears and move forward feeling more in control.
Because anxiety impacts everyone differently, it’s difficult to determine where it actually comes from. When we look at how the brain stores fearful memories and processes them, we can better understand why so many people struggle, but not necessarily why those fearful thoughts can be more damaging for some.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or haven’t yet been officially diagnosed, don’t hesitate to seek help. Dealing with overwhelming fear and worry on your own can be debilitating. Feel free to contact me today to start fighting back against that fear in anxiety treatment.