In the Unites States of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental problems affecting over 40 million adults age 18 and above. Epidemiological studies point out that a third of the world population are likely to suffer anxiety disorders in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are manifested through disturbance of thoughts, behavior, and physical activities (Adwas et al., 2019). Others include panic disorders, agoraphobia, specific fears, obsessive-compulsive disorders, acute stress disorder, and post-stress disorder. This paper will focus on highlighting the complex risk factors where anxiety disorders develop from and in so doing identify the reasons behind anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders may be inherited from one or both parents. Hereditary and genetic factors have been attributed to anxiety disorders. A person may notice the symptoms of anxiety disorders as present in other family members. A mix of complicated genes may put people at risk of developing anxiety disorders. When a relative is having anxiety disorders, there is a greater risk and chance that another person such as a parent or sibling will have them too.

Traumatic experiences result in a stress response. People who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) develop anxiety long after the trauma.  Re-experiencing the event through nightmares and flashbacks leads to anxiety disorders characterized by the inability to sleep well and panic attacks. The person is unable to handle emotions throughout life. He or she becomes worried in everyday situations making them unable to do anything or focus until the feeling passes. This interferes with their daily lives putting their life and progress on hold.

Lack of a strong support system can also result in anxiety disorders. People with friends and family whom they can count on in time of trouble can be satisfied with their health. People without friends and family are likely to be anxious and troubled. The isolation and loneliness likely result in physical and mental conditions such as heart disease, obesity, anxiety, and depression.

Low social economic status has also been linked with the genesis of anxiety disorders. The high cost of living and poor quality of life Is likely to negatively affect the individual. The decrease in household income and periods of economic recession increases the risks of mood and anxiety disorders (Dijkstra-Kersten et al., 2015). Job loss can lead to depression and feelings of fear, guilt, and hopelessness. Tough economic conditions characterized by low income, debts, and unemployment are the onset of mental problems and anxiety disorders. Financial strains are categorized as negative stressors which increase the risk of anxiety disorders in both men and women.

Poor health can also lead to anxiety disorders in what has been referred to as hypochondria. This condition is marked by an imagination of symptoms of physical illness. In some situations, a person may misinterpret normal or minor body changes as symptoms of a serious disease despite assurance by doctors that the condition is not a major illness or there is no illness. The feelings of worry affect the person and make him or her unable to work well daily. Such feelings lead to stress because the person starts to act as if he or she is ill and becomes worried.

Heart arrhythmia which is the irregular beating of the heart, slowly or too fast causes anxiety disorders. They worsen the symptoms of anxiety and trigger panic attacks. It is common for people to develop anxiety attacks during the time of a heart arrhythmia. During an arrhythmia, the person experiencing the attack feels that something is wrong with the heart. This increases feelings of anxiety and panic.

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that makes one afraid of situations and places that might cause panic, embarrassment, and hopelessness. A person is unable to confront fear and thus feels that there is no way to escape and help if the anxiety intensifies. Such people are afraid and cannot feel safe in any crowded place in absence of a companion or friend. They become unable to leave home and worry about having another anxiety attack. Agoraphobia also is caused by responding to attacks with fear and avoidance, having other phobias, experiencing stressful life events such as the loss of loved ones, suffering abuse, and having a relative with agoraphobia.

Depression has devastating effects on the quality of an individual’s life. People suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, stroke, and heart disease are likely to suffer from depression. They are unable to take care of themselves because depression makes it hard for them to focus on their health and care. Anxiety disorders may occur as a symptom of depression, such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorders. Interviews were conducted among patients to gather views on the value of diagnosing anxiety disorders in primary care. Some patients reported that they were unaware that they were experiencing anxiety because they did not appreciate what anxiety was. Due to less understanding of anxiety, they reported, ‘I think when you [tell] somebody you’re anxious they think “yeah I get anxious too” […] people don’t understand that when we’re anxious to this level, it’s totally consuming’ (Archer et al., 2021, p.9). 

Anxiety disorders also stem from obsessive- compulsive disorders. As a type of anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects many people, especially those between late childhood and early adolescence. Such people are likely to experience recurring and persistent thoughts which are both unwanted and time-consuming. People with OCD become embarrassed about their actions and seek to hide them. OCD is caused by habitual and repetitive learned behaviors. OCD can also be genetically and hereditary acquired by an individual. The chemical and functional abnormalities in the brain and distorted beliefs trigger OCD as an anxiety disorder in people and as a cause of anxiety disorders.

Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to the symptom of anxiety disorders. That is because caffeine stimulates flight or fight response which is enough to trigger an anxiety attack. It may lead to nervousness and cause mood changes which can increase anxiety. Drugs and alcohol can also lead to anxiety disorders which cause panic attacks. In the United States of America, anxiety and substance use disorders are the most frequently reported problems. People with alcohol and drug addictions are likely to struggle with anxiety disorders. Daily smoking is associated with panic disorders, and the risk is high in smokers. Early smoking increases the risk of developing panic disorders.

In conclusion, anxieties are part of occurrences in life. Everyone can suffer from anxiety and anxiety disorders at any place and stage in life. Various factors cause anxiety disorders such as heredity, traumatic experiences, low socio-economic status, lack of a strong support system, heart arrhythmia, agoraphobia, depression, poor health, and excessive caffeine.

References

Adwas, A. A., Jbireal, J. M., & Azab, A. E. (2019). Anxiety: Insights into Signs, Symptoms, Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. East African Scholars Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(10), 580-591. https://www.easpublisher.com/media/articles/EASJMS_210_580-591_c_K5PvyV3.pdf

Archer, C., Kessler, D., Wiles, N., & Turner, K. (2021). GPs’ and patients’ views on the value of diagnosing anxiety disorders in primary care: a qualitative interview study. British Journal of General Practice, 71(707), e450-e457. https://bjgp.org/content/bjgp/71/707/e450.full.pdf

Dijkstra-Kersten, S. M., Biesheuvel-Leliefeld, K. E., van der Wouden, J. C., Penninx, B. W., & van Marwijk, H. W. (2015). Associations of financial strain and income with depressive and anxiety disorders. J Epidemiol Community Health, 69(7), 660-665. https://DOI:10.1136/jech-2014-205088