Causes or Theories for the Incidence of Anxiety Disorders

The exact cause for the development of anxiety disorders is still debatable. Many people have come up with a theory or suggestion surrounding the cause of this controversial disorder. While it is hard to tell for sure which theory is the truest and most accurate, most people believe that the development of anxiety disorders stem from a combination of these different factors.

• Genetic factors - Like other psychiatric conditions, there is a strong genetic predisposition to the development of anxiety related disorders. Children of parents who have anxiety disorders or who come from a family line of the same condition are at a greater risk than the general population. However, genetic factors are not enough for a person to manifest the symptoms overtly. There are many factors that come into play when it comes to developing the said disorder.

  By Opaline

  There was a really strong genetic reason for my GAD because my mom has social anxiety, general anxiety and depression. Geez, thanks for the neurotic tendencies, Mom.
• Neurochemical theories - This is a disorder that is identified through the recurrent episodes of panic attacks along with a preoccupation to the thought or worry of experiencing another panic attack. The symptoms include an exaggerated stress or anxiety response along with these common symptoms: palpitations, difficulty of breathing, sweating, shaking, chest pain, derealization / depersonalization, fear of dying, nausea, paresthesias, chills/ hot flushes. Completing four or more of these symptoms is typical of a diagnosis of panic disorder.
  GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) is a hormone or neurotransmitter that is naturally present in the body. Its function is to help anxiety go down to normal levels. It is postulated that anxiety disorders may result if GABA levels in the body are not within normal range. Hence, there are medications that help in maintaining normal GABA levels in the blood.
  Serotonin and norepinephrine on the other hand, are other neurotransmitters that are said to have an important role in anxiety. Many medications prescribed for the management of anxiety disorders are based on the neurochemical basis of anxiety.
• Psychoanalytic theories - Sigmund Freud, the father of the psychoanalytic theory tried to define human behavior based on repressed energies and anxieties. According to Freud, many of our actions are guided by the innate anxiety in a person. When anxiety becomes too great for the body to handle, it resorts to the development of unconscious ways to control anxiety and these are the defense mechanisms that we see. Overuse of these defense mechanisms can lead to anxiety disorders in time.
• Interpersonal Theory - Another theory for the origin of anxiety is Harry Stack Sullivan’s proposition that anxiety comes about from problems in interpersonal relationships. According to him, humans are meant to be social and interpersonal beings. Hence, failure to thrive in this setup can create anxiety and anxiety disorders.
• Unusual stressful life event triggers - Many people also believe that anxiety disorders arise from unusually stressful life events wherein the usual defense mechanisms of a person is not enough to get by with the stress encountered.