Anxiety can come from normal emotions such as a pounding heart prior to speaking in public or butterflies in your stomach right before your first date. When it becomes problematic however, it can lead to more serious problems such as panic attacks, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and profuse sweating. While a normal emotion, according to HelpGuide, it is also one that can interfere with your life when it becomes overwhelming. And some people are more prone to this condition than others.
Your Personality Type
Those with certain personality types may be more prone to suffering from anxiety than others. The Mayo Clinic explains that those with borderline personality disorder may be at higher risk for suffering from anxiety, as the two have been linked.
Family History
Not only do anxiety disorders have a tendency to run in families, as stated by The Health Center, it may also be a learned response.
If a child has a parent or grandparent who is diagnosed with this condition, their chances of being diagnosed themselves is increased. However, the connection does not end there.
Close family members set the example for the children in their lives. Therefore if children are raised in an environment where all they see are adults who constantly expect the worst from every situation, or observe the people closest to them becoming anxious over everything, they too may begin to exhibit these same behaviors as both children and adults.
Adversity in Childhood
Aside from the examples set for children, adversity in childhood plays another large role in the risk of a child developing some form of an anxiety disorder as they become older. This can include witnessing traumatic events, such as the loss of a loved one, suffering physical or sexual abuse or constantly being criticized by the people they love the most.
A lack of nurturing may also contribute to anxiety, along with expectations that are too high, lack of encouragement when it comes to being independent and being overprotected and isolated. If overprotected, a child is not prepared for the real world when he is forced to face it on his own.
Chemical Imbalance
Neurotransmitters, also known as the brain's chemical messengers, play a vital role in the brain cell's ability to communicate with one another. These chemicals affect how a person feels and reacts to certain situations--if the communication breaks down due to a chemical imbalance, anxiety may be the result.
The two main chemicals responsible for feelings and communications are serotonin and dopamine. When out of balance, feelings of depression and anxiety often occur according to The Health Center. To restore balance, the doctor may place a patient on medication.
Physical Factors
How you treat your body can determine your risk factor for developing anxiety. For example, recreational drugs such amphetamines or marijuana may increase symptoms of anxiety in a person who already has other risk factors for developing it.
Lack of proper nutrition may also make anxiety worse. Stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine can spark an anxiety attack, while being deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, magnesium and calcium will do the same.
