Anxiety: Definition, Symptoms, Warning Signs, Causes, Medications, Treatment Options, Prevention, and Home Remedies

Causes of anxiety disorder

There is not a single cause of anxiety disorders. Instead, we have a conglomerate of factors, including a genetic predisposition and biopsychosocial elements that trigger an anxious response. Sometimes, the interaction with the environment, a situation of stress and trauma, triggers anxiety in predisposed patients. In other cases, the trigger may not be clearly recognized. Depending on the type of anxiety disorder, different triggers will be more common than others. The main structure associated with anxiety in the brain is called the amygdala. This central structure in the brain regulates emotions, especially fear and anxiety. Imaging studies show an increase in activity in the amygdala when patients feel anxious. Other areas in the prefrontal cortex are also activated during anxiety, mainly because they are connected to the amygdala. Thus, the biological cause is basically an activation and exaggerated response of the amygdala in front of a perceived source of danger. All of these brain regions are activated through chemical interactions. Thus, there is a neurotransmitter imbalance to consider, mainly involving GABA, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. You can also say this imbalance in brain chemicals causes anxiety and an extensive array of signs and symptoms. Specific causes vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder. For instance:

• Genetic factors influence most anxiety disorders. It features a tendency to overestimate threats and potential sources of danger.
• In panic disorder, the leading cause is related to the GABA-ergic tone in the brain. In other words, how this neurotransmitter works. These patients may also have an increased sensitivity to pain, tachycardia, and other symptoms that contribute to their apprehension. Direct triggers can include personal loss, conflicts, cannabis use, injuries and trauma, caffeine, and other stimulants.
• In social anxiety disorder, there is usually a traumatic social experience in the past that originates the symptoms. This initial experience is reinforced with recurring episodes feeding a constant fear of rejection.
• Specific phobias such as fear of heights are usually triggered by a traumatic experience, too. However, they have a decisive genetic factor as well.