I also asked myself what causes anxiety, at one point in my life but the fact is that everyone experiences anxiety. It can be triggered by financial problems, serious disease, job, family issues and much more.
The problem comes when we don't know how to handle it because of which anxiety may lead to panic attacks. They can be caused by death of your loved one, near death experience, chronic anxiety or some other very stressful event in your life.
This is also considered normal but when that happens often and you just don't know how to deal with it, then it may present a threat to our health and normal life.
SYMPTOMS
Before learning what causes anxiety, you have to be able to recognize the symptoms. They can be psychological and physical:
PSYCHOLOGICAL:
PHYSICAL:
WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY
In most people, anxiety as well as panic attacks are caused due to stress, by triggering flight or fight response. However, there are few other factors which can contribute to this state:
Some scientific studies have concluded that anxiety disorders such as anxiety attack, runs in families. However, many people which don't have family history of the anxiety disorder may also develop it. Whether you have or don't have someone in your family that suffers from anxiety, there is no need to worry unnecessarily, just live and enyoy life as much as you can.
If you have some form phobia or irrational fear which causes anxiety, try to overcome it, unless it is something like fear of snakes, which is completly normal. It is one of the most frequent answers on the question what causes anxiety.
This is big one, because confidence on hormonal level manifests as higer free testosterone levels in men and women, although with smaller amounts in women, obviously. Free testosterone has shown to modulate cortisol receptors and decrease levels of this primary stress hormone. So, the more free testosterone in your blood, the higher your confidence will be and lower the risk of anxiety.
High cortisol, ACTH and CRH for prolonged amount of time, can damage the brain and make you more prone to memory problems, demenita, depression and anxiety.
Some medications such as ritalin and antidepressants may also cause anxiety, including anxiety attacks.
Medication withdrawal has also shown as a possible cause. If you take any drug, prescription medication or drink alcohol frequently, the body gets use to it. After you stop taking it suddenly, the body gets in a state of shock which can lead to trembling, pain, depression and anxiety.
This includes disases such as hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia and mitral valve prolapse, some infections such as parasitic infections and certain disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.
Stimulants such as caffeine, ecstasy, cocaine and even some herbs such as yohimbe and ma huang which contains ephedra, can overstimulate central nervous system. When I decided to try pre-workout suplement, after I finally got rid of my heart disease, I was asking myself what causes anxiety since I became very anxious. Although I had more energy, it wasn't worth it. The product contained caffeine and 1,3-Dimethylamylamine which is now banned, due to its extreme potency which can make you anxious, especially in combination with caffeine.
HOW TO OVERCOME ANXIETY
Besides behavioral therapy and medications such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants that modern medicine provides, there are also natural treatment that you may consider:
The goal is to relax your mind and body. There are few types of meditation but in my opinion, the best and most effective is the most simplest one.
You need a quite room or even better, a peaceful space in the nature like a park or a beach, possibly with a nice view. Sit or lay down, whatever feels comfortable. Now, close your eyes and relax. Empty your mind from all thoughts and concentrate only on your breathing and enyoy this relaxing and "soul" healing moment.
Block that part of the brain which is trying to figure out what causes anxiety. This is time for relaxation, not brainstorming.
If you are outside, you can use calming sounds of nature such as birds singing, wind blowing or splashing sounds of waves, crashing on the shore. You may also use relaxing smell of the forest or the sea. If you're meditating from your home, take advantage from videos on the internet to set the mood or use the power of your brain to visualize enjoyable and relaxing environment in your mind.
Besides meditation, there are other relaxation techniques such as joga and progressive muscle relaxation. They can improve your resistance to stress, by strengthen the endocrine and the nervous system which makes it easier for our body to achieve and stay in a state of homeostasis, even during stress.
There is really not much to say. Eat right and exercise smart. This way you nourish and strengthen your entire body, by ingesting all the vital nutrients and getting all the benefits of regular exercise.
Smoking is harmful to your health and it can help relieve stress but only for a short period of time. Coffee and some alcohol beverages such as red wine are in fact good, in small amounts. However, if you have excluded all other reasons when it comes to the question, what causes anxiety and you are still nervous, then rather avoid them completely.
Deep, slow breathing fills our lungs with oxygen and relaxes the central nervous system which can help ease anxiety. If you are doing it right and using your diaphragm, then your belly should be moving in and out, not your chest.
The principle is very similar to cognitive-behavior therapy. However,there is no other person or group of people which will help you identify, understand or recognize what causes anxiety and negative thought process which fuels it. Instead, you have to dig deep into yourself and resolve you internal issues thereby turning the tide into your favour, by growing stronger, mentally.
One way of overcoming anxiety and possible anxiety attack is to imagine the worst possible outcome and accept it. This way you get rid of the pressure and you realize that only way you can go is up.
While self-talk can help resolve many internal conflicts, overthinking can sometimes do you more bad than good. It all depends on a person and situation in which he or she, is.
One way to stop overthinking is to just do it. For example, let's say you just had a big fight with your parents, friend or your loved one. In most cases, there really ain't much use of thinking why, how and whose fault. Instead, go out with your friends for a cup of coffee, take a walk, go jogging or visit a gym for stress burning workout to get your mind at ease.
Don't be afraid to express your opinion. Be honest with yourself and live your own life. Since no one knows you as you know yourself, you should know what causes anxiety as well as what is best for you. Don't worry what everybody else says or thinks but be nice to those people that are nice to you. Give as much as you receive and expected as much as you give.
Adaptogens are class of herbs that increase your resistance to physical, emotional and environmental stress by helping your body achieve and remain in state of homeostasis. Adaptogens includes herbs such as korean and american Ginseng, Astragalus, Rhodiola, Holy Basil, Eleuthero, Ashwagandha and more.
Relaxing herbs act on your nervous system by easing the tension and increasing blood flow to the brain. Some of this herbs are Lemon Balm, Passionflower, Valerian, Skullcap, Hops, Chamomile, Club Moss, St.John's Wort and more.
While adaptogens strengthen the endocrine system, relaxing herbs, relax the central nervous system. Since these two systems work together, combining these two types of natural anxiety remedies can be very effective for people dealing with the question what causes anxiety.
Check with your doctor before using any of this supplements for possible side effects.
NOTE: To learn more about these herbs and supplements check in herbs section.
CONCLUSION
In order to overcome your fears and left the question, what causes anxiety in the past, you will have to face them, eventually. Human body reacts on rational and irrational fears by exhibiting fight or flight response. When faced with threat, your nervous system sends signals to your endocrine system to produce stress hormones.
You are left with two options. Either to face it and fight, which doesn't apply only for fist fight but also for situations such as public speaking, deadlines and certain social interactions, or to flight by just walking, giving up or running away from the problem.
This primeval biological process, besides our intelligence, has helped us become dominant specie, on planet Earth. The point is, we should learn from our experience as our ancestors did which will help us overcome everything that life throws at us, after which you will never again ask yourself what causes anxiety.
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