Key Causes of Common Anxiety Disorders
Over 4 million adult Americans are affected with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) annually. GAD is a condition wherein an individual feels overly worried or anxious. It is normal for people to worry given certain situations, but for people who have GAD, their anxiety level would be high even in normal situations.
People with GAD are anxious about everyday situations and may agonize over money matters, work or school responsibilities, their health and the safety of their family. As a result, people afflicted with GAD have high stress levels, are often depressed or gloomy and rarely participate in social activities.
The root cause of this disorder is still unknown to us. Based on doctors and researchers work however, there seems to be several factors that play a role in the development of generalized anxiety disorder. Number one on their list is heredity. It seems that an individual is more likely to suffer from GAD if his or her parents were constant “worriers”.
Environmental factors can also be a cause of anxiety disorders. Stressful events such as abuse, divorce, moving, changing jobs or losing a loved one can trigger real fear, dread and anxiety, but this can worsen if it is left unaddressed. The person can get into the habit of feeling difficult feelings all over again whenever they are stressed, and this can perpetuate the cycle of anxiety. MedicineNet.com reports that many people turn to food, nicotine or caffeine to manage their feelings, but this often makes the situation worse.
Lastly, brain chemicals may be another factor in the development of GAD. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain had been correlated with anxiety disorders. Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending and receiving of information in the brain and a high level of it is speculated to somehow confuse our brain’s perception. If this happens, a person who experiences slight stress would start to feel intense fear because the brain is sending the wrong signals to the body.
Brain chemicals can be balanced by following a specific diet and developing a healthy lifestyle. In rare cases, medication or natural supplements may be prescribed. Just remember that GAD is common and women are more likely to experience its symptoms than men.
Even though family history and environmental factors may not change, there are several ways to reduce the effects of GAD and other anxiety disorders. Making healthy food choices, getting enough rest, maintaining a regular exercise schedule, and controlling stress in a healthy way can help to reduce feelings of fear, worry and overwhelm on a regular basis. Lifestyle and behavior modification may be the best option for the millions of people suffering from daily anxiety problems, and may be necessary when generalized anxiety disorder symptoms and related anxiety problems are interfering with daily life.