Understanding Anxiety: From Root Causes to Resilient Living

Anxiety is a common emotion, yet for millions of people, it transforms into more than just an occasional moment of worry. Instead, it takes on a predominant and persistent life of its own and becomes the kind of overwhelming experience that disrupts daily living. In our speedy, high-stress society, understanding this fundamental emotion is not only our clinical responsibility but also a public health imperative—that is, a priority for the health of the population at large.

What is Anxiety?

Feeling tense, worried, or on edge? You might be experiencing anxiety. It's an emotional state we all go through that ranges in intensity and duration and is most often experienced in relation to specific events or stressors. According to the American Psychological Association (2023), here is how they define it:

•  Anxiety is an emotional state characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. While anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can even be beneficial in some situations, anxiety disorders occur when these feelings become chronic, excessive, and difficult to control.
• The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines several anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder; panic disorder; social anxiety disorder; and specific phobias (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These disorders present some unique symptoms but often share common threads such as:   
• restlessness   
• fatigue 
• difficulty concentrating   
• irritability 
• muscle tension 
• sleep disturbances

Root Causes of Anxiety

A complex interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors can result in anxiety. Genetics are significant—they play a big role (when it comes to who gets diagnosed with it) and family studies clearly show that anxiety disorders can run in families (Hettema, Neale, & Kendler, 2001). And then there are certain areas of the brain that are linked to anxiety. Neurobiologically, the heightened activity in the amygdala (the brain's fear center) has been linked to anxiety responses (Shin & Liberzon, 2010).



Another thing to consider is that a lot of our factors are psychosocial as well. When we consider psychosocial factors, we pay attention to things like trauma, adversity, and stress that children have experienced early in life. These things can make a person much more likely to end up with anxiety. We also know that perfectionism, which many of our A students have, also increases the chances of being anxious. But no one's had any control over the kinds of diets or activities that have been promoted, which are certainly far from perfect and are very stressful.

Living With Anxiety: Evidence-Based Strategies

Thankfully, anxiety can be treated very effectively. The most successful treatments are generally forms of psychotherapy combined with innovations in the patient's lifestyle and, when necessary, medications. The cognitive behavior modifications performed with patients during therapy have made CBT the gold standard for the non-drug treatment of anxiety disorders.

Practices that are based on mindfulness, like meditation and deep breathing exercises, have shown favorable results in the calming of the nervous system. These practices have also shown an increase in the awareness of the present moment. (Khoury et al., 2013)

Other tools that can help diminish anxiety symptoms over time include:

• Physical activity
• Regular sleep
• Social connection
• Proper nutrition

Some people may be prescribed medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to manage the biochemical imbalances that lead them to experience anxiety. These medications should always be taken under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

A Hopeful Outlook

Coexisting with apprehension can be disconcerting, but it is crucial to keep in mind that assistance is at hand and that recovery is within the realm of possibility. Routine or irregular panic attacks can leave one feeling as though they have lost control or that their life is in danger when, in actuality, the body is just overreacting to a threat that isn't really there. Because this overreaction often leaves one feeling exhausted, it's important to schedule practices for self-care in a way that makes them feel manageable and to learn to ask for help when needed.



If you or someone you are acquainted with is going through a tough time with anxiety, you might think about getting in touch with a mental health expert. Making the call for help can be the first but also the toughest step. Yet, most who take it find that they are met with understanding and compassion, and that the experts they encounter really do want to help. And though it might be hard (or impossible) to see at the moment, many who go for help find that they come out on the other side stronger and more capable. It can be life-changing.