Anxiety is a challenging condition to live with. It can start at any time, and it can make social interactions, work, school, and events such as social gatherings, job interviews, and meeting new people almost impossible. For some who suffer from anxiety, it means they have to stay home, where they feel safe, and they don’t experience much of what life has to offer at all.
Scientists studying this condition suggest there are several different causes of anxiety. Many of them have treatment options in place too, and this is excellent news for all who suffer from this life diminishing condition.
Childhood Experiences
One of the reasons people may develop anxiety is due to past childhood experiences. If there were problems in adolescence, or even before that, this can be a big trigger, and cause anxiety to become more pronounced. These experiences could include:
- Abuse
- The loss of a parent or parents (or another close family member)
- Neglect
- Bullying
- Parents who aren’t warm and loving
All of this and more will undoubtedly shape the adults we become, and this can mean developing social anxiety disorder too.
The Present Day
Not everything that we feel right now can be linked back to childhood; in some cases, it is the here, and now that is causing anxiety issues. Current life situations can become too much to deal with, and the mind’s response is to become anxious. This could be:
- Working long hours
- Stress build-up
- Not having a job
- Exhaustion
- Feeling under pressure to do well
- Financial worries
- Bereavement
- Abuse
- Loneliness
Being involved in toxic situations such as the ones mentioned above, even if they are not our fault, can undoubtedly lead to anxiety. The problem is it can be difficult to be objective enough to get out of these issues.
Physical Or Mental Problems
Our health is always something that will clearly have a significant impact on our lives and having issues with other areas of our health – both mental and physical – can lead to anxiety. For some, living with the condition that causes disabilities or is life-threatening, or having a terminal illness, can cause anxiety.
Anxiety is also common in people who have other mental illnesses like depression and stress.
Drugs & Alcohol
Some people will have a dependency on drugs or alcohol or both. Although this might make them feel better temporarily, it can also lead to long term problems, and that includes anxiety.
The most significant issue is that drugs and alcohol are then often used to self-medicate. The person suffering doesn’t know that the cause of their problems is exactly the ‘medication’ they are taking to stop it, and therefore the problem only gets worse.
Combatting Anxiety
Although there are many reasons for someone to develop an anxiety disorder, there are also many different ways to combat it. If you think you have a problem, there should be a solution that works for you. For younger people, for example, there is Ignite Teen Treatment, a rehab center for teenagers with a social anxiety disorder. There will be similar help centers for older people too.
Some people will, once they understand what their problem is, prefer self-help. This should be discussed with a doctor who can show them the resources they can use to help to control their anxiety problems. This is not the same as self-medication, which, as mentioned above, should be completely avoided.
Another option is therapy. Many people find that talking about their problems is an ideal way to learn more about it themselves and get professional help. These therapy sessions can be one on one or in a group setting, and this will depend on your anxiety levels and what you feel comfortable with.
Finally, medication might be an option. This won’t be suitable for everyone and must be prescribed by a doctor, so if you are feeling anxious, make an appointment sooner rather than later.
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