Severe anxiety often causes people to believe their worries are beyond their control. It is different from anxiety that occurs in people's lives from time to time. Severe anxiety is usually considered a disorder and may include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or phobias. The disorders are treatable when people recognize they are suffering from severe anxiety.
Stress
Stress often results in anxiety, Medical News Today explains. Stressful periods are normal from time to time, such as dealing with exams, speaking at an event or handling difficulties at work. If anxiety lasts too long and starts interfering with a person's daily life, it develops into generalized anxiety disorder, in which the person worries constantly about everyday situations such as family and financial problems. The worries may be blown out of proportion or the person may think the worst possible outcome will happen because of the concerns. A person with severe anxiety may worsen the anxiety through negative thoughts or negative self-talk.
Traumatic Past
Abuse or trauma during childhood increases the risk for developing generalized anxiety disorder later on in life, according to the Mayo Clinic. Post-traumatic stress disorder may result from a terrifying event that involves violence or a threat of violence that a person experienced in the past. Post-traumatic stress experienced because of family problems, such as abuse or violence, can increase the risk of other anxiety disorders, according to HealthCentral. Children may also learn fears and phobias from their parents and develop similar anxiety disorders.
Health Conditions
Having a chronic illness or serious medical condition causes constant concerns and worries about health, the Mayo Clinic points out. A patient may develop severe anxiety about treatment that is needed and the medical costs incurred.
Substance Abuse
Drug or alcohol abuse can worsen generalized anxiety disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic. Substance abuse may cause anxiety disorders, or anxiety can contribute to substance abuse if a person seeks relief from worries. Even caffeine and nicotine can worsen the problem for some people with anxiety.
Genetics
Many people with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias have close relatives with severe anxiety problems, Health Central notes. OCD, a disorder in which people cannot stop having obsessive thoughts and performing compulsive behaviors, may run in families.
Chemical Imbalances
An imbalance in neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers in the brain, may be involved in severe anxiety, HealthCentral notes. Deficiencies of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in the emotional state, also may affect anxiety. Abnormalities in the pathways for nerves could be involved in OCD.
