Causes and Effects of Anxiety Disorder

What are Causes of Anxiety Disorder?

There are several factors that can play a role in the development of an anxiety disorder.

• Genetics and personal life
  To a small extent, anxiety disorders are genetic. Some family histories show more incidences of anxiety disorders and symptoms than others. Do your (grand)parents suffer from anxiety symptoms? You may find that certain events are extra stressful for you as a result. In addition, major life events can also cause anxiety disorder. Your temperament and social skills will also play a role in whether or not you develop an anxiety disorder.
• Upbringing and support
  Having an intense and secure bond with your parents is a wonderful thing. At the same time, childhood is a time when you’re still developing emotionally. This might make you feel anxious and uncertain about strangers and new situations. Having overprotective parents means that children may not learn how to deal with danger. This could cause an anxiety disorder.
• Cognitive information processing
  Sometimes anxiety disorders arise as a result of the way you process signals from your environment. You interpret perfectly normal events as dangerous and threatening. You overestimate the level of danger.
• Major life event(s)
  A major life event can cause an anxiety disorder. You might develop a disorder that occurs when you’re in similar situations or when you encounter triggers that remind you of the original event(s).

What Are Effects of Anxiety Disorder?

Depending on the severity of those anxiety symptoms, an anxiety disorder affects your quality of life. Generalized anxiety disorder can cause you to experience insomnia or develop fatigue. Or your fears affect your daily life so much that you can no longer work.

• Avoidant behaviors
  Your anxiety disorder may have social consequences. For example, do you find yourself feeling sad and alone because you’re too afraid to take part in social activities? Your desire to avoid uncomfortable situations is a direct result of the fear you’re feeling. 
• Underestimation
  Anxiety can cause you to underestimate yourself. You’ll perceive more danger than is really present. You start thinking negative thoughts, such as deciding you’re not capable of handling the situation you’re in.
• Poor health
  Do you experience a lot of anxiety? If so, you’re constantly exposing your body to stress hormones, like adrenaline. This could cause physical symptoms like stomach pains and headaches. You could also suffer from trouble concentrating, irritability and insomnia, for example.
• Performance
  Serious concentration and sleep problems can lead to decreased performance at school and/or work. This may be the result of an anxiety (disorder).
• Depression
  You may suffer from depression. Did you suffer from anxiety as a child or young adult? Your risk of developing an anxiety disorder or experiencing depression as a fully grown adult will be greater as a result of this.