5 of the Most Common Causes of Anxiety
When we are young, we experience basic human emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and jealousy. As we get older, the range of emotions that we feel becomes more varied and complex. Anxiety, unfortunately, is one of these emotions. In the last post, we discussed anxiety's signs and symptoms. Let's dive into the topic of anxiety some more by focusing on some of the most common causes of anxiety.
1. Past Experiences
A lot of anxiety actually stems from past events. Your past makes you into the person you are today. That includes both the positive and negative life events. If you had a difficult childhood, teenage years, or adulthood it can be common to experience anxiety later in life. These are some of the most common life experiences that can trigger anxiety in your adulthood:
Bullying
Emotional abuse
Isolated or excluded
Neglect
Physical abuse
Racism
2. Current Life
But anxiety isn't just caused by events that took place in your past life. Anxiety can also occur due to things in your present life. Life is filled with a lot of ups and downs. You never know what each day will bring. There are a lot of factors that can happen in someone's daily life and routine that can cause stress and anxiety. These are some common situations in someone's day-to-day that can trigger anxiety:
Abuse
Being part of a layoff at work
Financial struggles
Harassment
Homelessness or housing problems
Isolation or loneliness
Life changes
Long work hours
Pandemic
Pressure in school or work
Racism
Stress
Unemployed
Worrying about the environment or natural disasters
3. The Future
Have you ever thought about something that's going to happen in the future and it makes you feel a little on edge, nervous, and anxious? Think about it. You have a date coming up. You may worry about what you'll wear, talk about, what you'll have in common, and more. In school, you probably stayed up late studying and being nervous about an upcoming test. Even at work, you may experience anxiety about a big meeting, presentation, or review with your boss. Future events that haven't even occurred yet can bring on a lot of anxiety in someone's life as well.
4. Mental and Physical Health Issues
If you have a pre-existing mental health problem, you may be more likely to experience anxiety or worsening signs and symptoms of anxiety. If you're struggling with your physical health or dealing with a certain diagnosis or condition, it could bring on feelings of anxiety for your own health and safety and your family as well. Pre-existing mental health problems can also make it more common for anxiety to develop.
5. Drugs or Medication
If you take drugs or medication for a condition or recreationally, anxiety could be a side effect. Medications that are prescribed or even substances like drugs or alcohol all have side effects that can impact your life. There could be a vicious and endless cycle of using drugs or alcohol, experiencing anxiety, and using drugs or alcohol to cope. The use and abuse of drugs and alcohol mixed with anxiety can be a hard one to break.
Next Steps
No matter the exact cause of your anxiety, anxiety is a condition that shouldn't be left untreated. If you notice that your anxiety is impacting your daily life and routine for a period of two weeks or more, it's a good sign that it's time to reach out for additional support. If you're struggling with signs or symptoms of anxiety, you're not alone. Don't delay in getting the help you need and deserve. A licensed and trained mental health professional will be able to work with you to help you manage and cope with the signs and symptoms you're experiencing. Reach out today to set up a consultation for anxiety therapy.