Risk Factors
There are many factors that can lead to anxiety and it is more a build up of many events rather than just one. These factors are:
- Genetics - many people with anxiety have found that there has been a link between mental illness and their family history
- Ongoing Stress - stressful events such as a job/school changes, death or loss of a loved one, family and relationship problems, etc.
- Physical Health Problems - continuing physical illness can trigger or complicate the treatment for anxiety. Common conditions such as hormonal problems, heart disease and asthma may trigger it
- Substance Use - people with heavy or long-term use of substances such as alcohol and cannabis can get withdrawal-related anxiety. They tend to use the substance more which makes the feeling worse
- Personality - people who are easily flustered, perfectionists, have a lack of self-esteem and/or want to control everything tend to develop an anxiety disorder