Stress and anxiety are a part of our normal, everyday lives. Without fear, we might do irrational things like walk in front of a car or into a burning building. Fear and anxiety are our body's way of protecting itself against harm and injury. However, some individuals feel fear and anxiety over events, situations or things that others don't. Understanding a few of the triggers or factors that may cause anxiety for some may help individuals identify a problem and seek methods to effectively and successfully deal with those fears.
General Anxiety Disorder
An overwhelming sense of worry or dread may be caused by general anxiety disorder, also known as GAD. This disorder causes people to worry about things, even though there may not be a valid reason for such worry. A person may experience "What if ... ?" thought processes that severely limit the individual's ability to function in everyday environments; for example, a person who refuses to drive or fly because she's afraid she'll get into an accident or crash, or a mother who constantly worries that her healthy child will get sick, according to FamilyDoctor.org, a website dedicated to family health information.
Phobias
Phobias are described as extreme fear or anxiety to certain objects, places or scenarios. For example, a person afraid of bugs, spiders and snakes may be diagnosed with acrophobia, while a person afraid of flying may be diagnosed with pterygophobia, according to the Mayo Clinic. A person unreasonably afraid of wide open spaces, known as agoraphobia, may experience extreme anxiety or a panic attack when exposed to such conditions.
Drug Use
Chronic drug use may cause mental disorders that interfere with normal brain function, leading many to feel suspicion, anxiety and terror. Long-term use of drugs may inhibit the production of serotonin in the brain and lead to anxiety and depression, reduce a person's ability to function in social situations and cause mental illnesses such as panic disorders, according to Justice.gov.
Alcohol Abuse
Individuals who abuse alcohol may notice increased states of anxiety when not medicated by alcohol, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The drinking and anxiety-relief-or-intensity relationship often initiates a vicious circle of abuse, where anxiety or panic attack symptoms may be enhanced with attempts to withdraw from alcohol.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Also known as OCD, a person diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder may feel extremely anxious, fearful or agitated if the individual's daily routine or environment is disturbed or disrupted in any way, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Those diagnosed with OCD are compulsive about their routines, habits and environment. Some are obsessed with dirt or germs, prompting them to wash their hands hundreds of times a day, while others may need to check to make sure the door is locked a certain number of times before they can go to sleep. Dozens of types of obsessive-compulsive disorders may cause a sense of fear and anxiety, loss of control, or panic attacks.
