What is the Cause of Anxiety ?

Almost everyone gets that anxious feeling every now and then. Maybe during a test, special event or while making a presentation in front of many people. The dry mouth, tight or upset stomach, breathlessness, rapid pulse and sweaty palms. Symptoms such as these are normal and expected. But when you experience such symptoms every day, and for no apparent reason, it may be time to take a closer look at what is really going on.

The cause of anxiety is usually based on a variety of factors. Usually, people feel that several things are attacking them all at once and they can’t take it anymore. A typical example may be of a high school teacher, who has to deal with a demanding schedule and unruly teenagers at work, then he comes home to a complaining wife and crying kids, and at the back of his mind, he constantly worries about due bills and mortgage payments.

Can the past be affecting the present ?

In all cases, it is the patient himself who is the biggest help to diagnose the actual cause of anxiety. Psychiatrists often ask the patient to keep a detailed journal about his symptoms and the events leading to them. The patient is asked to jot down his thoughts before the start of the anxiety and where he was when this happened. Often, the cause of anxiety attacks can be determined by reviewing these log books and noting the most common trigger to anxiety.

A detailed history of the patients childhood and adolescence can also help figure out the cause of anxiety. Traumatic events in ones childhood can scar the person for life. Death of a loved one in a hospital can make an individual fear doctors and hospitals forever. Or maybe, a dog bite in the persons childhood will lead to a life long phobia of dogs.
The patient is usually unaware of these feelings, until they are brought out by probing into his past

Desensitization Process

Determining the cause of anxiety is the most important aspect of combating anxiety. The problem can be tackled step by step after the root of the problem is discovered. Gradual desensitization can be used to help the patient overcome his fears over time.

For instance, if the patient is scared of drowning in water, the doctor will help him by exposing him to different levels of water, beginning from the bath tub and ending at the beach. This usually helps overcome the fear completely, but requires a lot of time and patience.

Once the cause of anxiety is figured out, the battle is half won and the management can now continue by focusing on the actual problem. It is difficult to control mental stress triggers. At one time a person can be worrying about several things such as bills, health, family affairs and work.

The way we think creates so much of our ongoing distress. We can control the biological component by losing the fear of our experience and controlling and managing our thoughts. A high level or prolonged state of anxiety can be very incapacitating, making the activities of daily life difficult or impossible. It is important to identify when professional or medical help is required before the symptoms get out of hand.