Anxiety Disorders

Causes of anxiety disorders

The root cause of anxiety disorders isn’t fully understood. They can be best thought of as an exaggeration of underlying healthy anxiety processes. Research suggests that several factors are linked to developing an anxiety disorder:

• Genetics: Anxiety disorders tend to run in families.
• Stressful life events: Significant and traumatic events, such as childhood abuse and military combat, can trigger anxiety disorders. Sometimes, an anxiety disorder may not manifest until years after an event.
• Medical causes: Certain underlying health issues, such as heart disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes and substance misuse, can cause symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety can also be a side effect of some medications.
• Biological factors: Changes in brain chemistry may be linked to anxiety.

Types of anxiety disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

• Phobias: Intense fear and often avoidance of situations that make a person feel trapped or helpless. Phobias can take on nearly any subject. Some common phobias are: fear of public spaces, flying, driving, enclosed spaces and heights. These anxiety disorders significantly impact everyday life and typically last six months or longer.
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD involves being in a constant state of worry, even when there’s no clear reason. Common worries can include health, finances, work and family.
• Panic disorder: People with panic disorder experience sudden, recurring panic attacks characterized by overwhelming fear, a sense of doom or impending death, chest tightness, shortness of breath and other physical sensations with little or no warning. Panic attacks usually include a sense of impending doom.
• Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety disorder, previously called social phobia, involves an intense fear of being embarrassed or judged by others in social situations.

Who is at risk for anxiety disorders?

Anyone can develop an anxiety disorder. However, certain risk factors increase your chance of doing so. These include:

• Family history: Anxiety disorders run in families, so having blood relatives with anxiety increases your risk.
• Stressful life events: Experiencing traumatic or stressful life events, such as abuse, divorce or even changing schools, can increase a person’s risk of developing anxiety symptoms. Children who witnessed or experienced trauma have a much greater chance of developing anxiety, often later in life.
• History of mental health conditions: Having other mental health disorders, like depression, can increase the likelihood of an anxiety disorder.
• Substance misuse: Using alcohol or drugs can cause or worsen anxiety. This is also true for people going through withdrawal.
• Medical conditions: Many physical health conditions, such as insomnia, heart disease, diabetes and thyroid issues, increase the risk for anxiety disorders.
• Personality traits: People with certain personality characteristics, like being prone to stress or having a tendency towards perfectionism, are more likely to have an anxiety disorder.
• Childhood development issues: Some early childhood experiences, such as overprotection or a lack of nurturing, can increase the chances of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorder treatment options

At Main Line Health, our behavioral health specialists will work with you to determine the best anxiety disorder treatment for you. Your care may include one or more of the following treatments:

• Medication: Medications for anxiety disorders can help you control your anxiety and feel less anxious. These may include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines.
• Therapy: Working with a trained therapist can help you understand and learn how to manage your anxiety. This may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle modifications, like exercising, improving your sleep habits and using stress-management techniques, can reduce anxiety symptoms.

Diagnosis and testing for anxiety disorders

In order to diagnose an anxiety disorder, your behavioral health specialist will conduct an evaluation through tests that may include:

• Exam: You'll discuss your symptoms and medical history with your doctor to rule out any physical conditions.
• Psychological assessment: Your doctor will ask questions to assess the impact of anxiety on your overall health.