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Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives. It’s a natural feeling that helps us deal with potentially dangerous or stressful situations. However, if you’re in a constant state of stress and angst that interferes with everyday activities, you may have an anxiety disorder. Understanding the underlying causes is the first step in recognizing the severity of your symptoms and knowing whether you should seek professional treatment.

5 Reasons Why You Might Be Feeling Anxious

1. External Factors

Your life history has a considerable influence on how you perceive and process experiences. Stress and trauma are two of the most common causes of anxiety. The former typically stems from problems at work, home, and school, whereas trauma is usually the result of abuse, injury from an accident, war, or other extreme factors beyond your control. 

2. Medical Conditions

Dealing with serious health issues can cause stress, which produces anxiety. But sometimes, feelings of anxiousness can be a side effect of the underlying health issue, for example, heart, respiratory, or thyroid conditions.

3. Substance Abuse

anxietyAlcohol and drug use are known triggers of anxiety, because of the way they cause changes in brain chemistry, such as with serotonin levels. Ironically, many people turn to substance use as a way to cope with anxiety, which only exacerbates the problem.

4. Brain Physiology & Chemistry

The structural and chemical composition of the brain can have an effect on anxiety levels. People with an imbalance of neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin, are more prone to the disorder. Panic attacks have been shown to occur more frequently in those with an overactive or larger amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for regulating emotions.

5. Genetics

It’s important to know whether your family has a history of this disorder, as it might increase the probability that you will experience significant anxiety at some point. Scientists are working to identify the specific genes that influence it, which could lead to new treatments in the future. 

 

If feelings of anxiety are interfering with your daily life, the professional therapists at Lincoln Psychiatric Group in Nebraska will help restore your well-being. Providing mental health services to individuals and families for over 75 years, their experienced counselors and psychiatrists have the support and tools you need to live a happier life. For an appointment, call (402) 476-7557 or visit their website to learn more about their clinic.

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