Theories on Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue. It can come in the form of panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety and even obsessive compulsive disorder. There are several theories about how this develops.

Stress

• Everyone experiences stress at one point or another, but it can affect people differently. Pressure at a job, relationship issues or the death of a loved one are a few of the more common reasons for high stress. This built-up worry can take a toll both mentally and physically.

Brain Chemistry

• Many doctors feel that anxiety is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. These chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, carry messages to the brain. In many cases, a doctor will prescribe medication to correct the imbalance.

Heredity

• It is also thought that anxiety is a genetic issue. If a person's parent or parents have experienced anxiety, there is a higher probability of their being inherited by their children.

Personality

• The way that a person thinks, developed as early as childhood, can cause anxiety disorders. Stressful events, such as childhood abuse, can condition you to feel constantly anxious. In this case, seeing a psychologist can help pinpoint when and how your anxiety developed, and retrain your thinking through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Diet

• Deficiencies in magnesium are also believed to be a factor in anxiety disorders. Also, your doctor might suggest removing caffeine from your diet, as it can make you jittery and anxious.