For most people, anxiety is considered to be a normal state of emotion, even quite a positive thing, but there are times when being anxious can turn our lives into a nightmare. This typically occurs when normal anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder. In such a situation, it is known that there are a number of things that can trigger off such a reaction although the causes of anxiety are as of yet not fully understood or defined.
In fact many doctors, therapists and psychiatrists have quite different theories regarding what the causes of anxiety may be. Some believe that genetics may be the key to understanding anxiety disorders. Others believe that it arises from our circumstances, thus making anxiety a learned behaviour. Still others have no real idea as to why anxiety is caused in the first place, preferring to deal with the symptoms and current situation than to hypothesise as to why the anxiety may have occurred..
It is possible to outline some of the more commonly held causes of anxiety. These being anxiety states that may be precipitated by a mental condition, or perhaps a physical condition or state. The misuse of drugs as well as the known effects of certain types of prescribed medications can also become a cause of anxiety. There is also the possibility that a combination of any of the above factors may lead to an individual experiencing an anxiety disorder.
Some of the causes of anxiety can be attributed to certain mental conditions, these may also include other types of anxiety disorders like panic disorder. Then there are the physical conditions that may give rise to anxiety. Palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath are all considered to be causes of anxiety. The compounding factor is that these can also be symptoms of severe anxiety which is one of the reasons why some doctors believe that it is not possible to define the reason why anxiety is caused.
Other causal factors can include coffee and caffeine based beverages, amphetamines like speed, an overactive thyroid muscle, abnormal heart rhythms and other types of heart problems. An example of such a heart problem is mitral valve prolapse.
While these are some of the causes of anxiety there are many others that play their part in causing anxiety disorders. Other types of anxiety disorders can themselves contribute towards anxiety. These may be Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD, Phobic disorders and Stress Disorder.
Stress from a number of different situations will also cause anxiety. Instances like stress at work, stress from a school problem, stress that results from personal relationships like marriage, stress due to trauma, such as the death of a loved one. Then stress from a serious illness and financial stress can also be contributory causes of anxiety.
Apart from these factors you may also experience anxiety because of certain types of prescribed medication that you need to take. These medications may be prescription drugs to treat other illnesses but illegal drugs like cocaine can also cause anxiety.
As we may never really know the exact reasons why anxiety develops the complete causes of anxiety remain a mystery. Hopefully one day we will understand this complaint better and be able to treat it effectively before it becomes a serious problem for any individual.