What causes anxiety? 

An anxiety condition isn’t developed or caused by a single factor but a combination of things.Many factors can increase you risk of getting anxiety, including personality factors, difficult life experiences and physical health. 

Family history of mental health conditions

Some people who experience anxiety conditions may have a genetic predisposition towards anxiety and these conditions can sometimes run in a family. However, having a parent or close relative experience anxiety or other mental health condition doesn’t mean you’ll automatically develop anxiety. 

Personality factors

Research suggests that people with certain personality traits are more likely to have anxiety. For example, children who are perfectionists, easily flustered, timid, inhibited, lack self-esteem or want to control everything, sometimes develop anxiety during childhood, adolescence or as adults.

Ongoing stressful events

Anxiety conditions may develop because of one or more stressful life events. Common triggers include:

• work stress or job change
• change in living arrangements
• pregnancy and giving birth
• family and relationship problems
• major emotional shock following a stressful or traumatic event
• verbal, sexual, physical or emotional abuse or trauma
• death or loss of a loved one.

Physical health problems

Chronic physical illness can also contribute to anxiety conditions or impact on the treatment of either the anxiety or the physical illness itself. Common chronic conditions associated with anxiety conditions include:

• diabetes
• asthma
• hypertension and heart disease

Some physical conditions can mimic anxiety conditions, like an overactive thyroid. It can be useful to see a doctor and be assessed to determine whether there may be a medical cause for your feelings of anxiety.

What can I do to help?

If you know someone with anxiety there are many things you can all to help such as:

Get them to seek support the local GP, Psychiatrist or Psychologist can be a massive help

Beyond Blue have a online counselling service who are always ready to talk