Risk factors
The onset of an anxiety condition is commonly influenced by a combination of factors such as:
- Family history of mental health conditions
- Personality style
- Ongoing stressful events including:
- Work stress or job change
- Change in living arrangements
- Pregnancy and giving birth
- Family and relationship problems
- Major emotional shock following a stressful or traumatic event
- Health issues
- Verbal, sexual, physical or emotional abuse or trauma
- Death or loss of a loved one
Causes
For some people, anxiety might be a side effect of prescribed medication or linked to an underlying health issue.
- Medical conditions that can be linked to anxiety include:
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- Thyroid problems
- Respiratory disorders
- Withdrawal
- Chronic pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal disorders
- Some rare tumours
