Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Anxiety

The precise cause of GAD is unknown.

Research shows that it appears to be caused by a number of factors. Certain people also seem to be more likely to get it, for example, if you have experienced a stressful event, such as the death of a parent, when you were young. A very problematic familial or marital relationship, the death of a close friend or relative, or a difficult childhood can be contributing factors. Stressful experiences such as bullying, rape or surviving a disaster can also make the condition more likely to develop.

Women are twice as likely as men to have anxiety disorder. It is also more common if you are unemployed, a housewife or are separated, divorced or widowed.

The chemical make-up in your brain may be a factor. Brain chemicals such as serotonin or noradrenaline affect your mood and thinking. GAD may be associated with altered levels of these chemicals.

If you have GAD, it's very likely that you've already had another mental health problem, such as depression.

• AbortionAbscessAccident and emergency departmentsAccidents and first aidAccidents to children in the homeAcneAcoustic neuromaActinomycosisAcupunctureAddictionsAddison's diseaseAdenoids and adenoidectomyAgoraphobiaAir embolismAlcohol misuseAllergiesAltitude sicknessAlzheimer's diseaseAmbulance ServiceAmniocentesisAmniotomyAmoebiasisAnaemiaAnaesthesiaAnaesthetic, generalAnaesthetic, localAnal fissureAnal fistulaAnaphylaxisAndrogen insensitivity syndromeAneurysmAnginaAngioedemaAngiographyAnkylosing spondylitisAnorexia nervosaAntacid drugsAntenatal careAntenatal screeningAnti-inflammatories, non-steroidalAnticoagulant drugsAntidepressant drugsAntifungal drugsAntihistamine drugsAnxietyAphasiaApnoeaAppendicitisArthritisArthroscopyArtificial inseminationAsbestosisAspergillosisAsthmaAstigmatismAtherosclerosisAthlete's footAtrial fibrillationAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutism

  ---