Anxiety is a mental health condition involving persistent or severe nervousness. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder are common anxiety disorders. Stress and unhealthy thought patterns can exacerbate anxiety. Understanding the factors that maintain anxiety allows people to identify personal anxiety triggers and regain control of their lives.
Stress
Stress is a state of heightened alertness that prepares the body to handle a harmful situation. While it is helpful in certain instances, ongoing stress can be detrimental to mental and physical health.
Stressful external events are a common cause of anxiety. Life-altering events like death, divorce and job loss can cause anxiety, as can everyday problems like work deadlines and relationship troubles.
Negative Thought Patterns
Internal dialogue plays a major role in maintaining anxiety. According to researchers from Rutgers University, negative thought patterns formed in childhood can cross over into adulthood, resulting in automatic and inappropriate responses to present day events. Depression and other emotional conditions may also be associated with distorted views of early life events; however, these can be treated by attempting to change negative thinking patterns. Replacing negative thoughts with positive self-talk can help alleviate anxiety and this method is a major component of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Poor Coping Skills
Poor coping skills can compound the effects of anxiety. Using drugs or alcohol to deal with anxiety is an example of an unhealthy coping strategy. While done with the intention of improving the situation, poor coping strategies like substance abuse make the problem worse by endangering a person's health and well-being.
Activities that aid relaxation are generally considered healthy for coping with anxiety. Deep breathing, meditation, yoga and journaling are excellent ways to calm the mind and body when stressful situations arise.
Biological Triggers
Anxiety is a condition with definite physical effects. Rapid heartbeat, nausea, shallow breathing and excessive sweating are all physical signs of anxiety. Biological processes that trigger these anxiety-like symptoms may play a role in maintaining anxiety.
According to Mayo Clinic, anxiety and nervousness are common symptoms of hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the body produces too much thyroid hormone. Caffeine and other energy-enhancing drugs can also cause anxiety in some people due to their stimulating effects on the heart and central nervous system.
