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Anxiety Causes & Risks

Causes

Anxiety may result from many factors including:

  • Appropriate response under stressful circumstances
  • Drugs that affect the nervous system, such as:
  • Biological factors:
    • Brain chemistry imbalances (eg, serotonin and norepinephrine)
    • Personality traits
  • Faulty perceptions and irrational beliefs (eg, phobias)
  • Unresolved emotional conflicts

Risk Factors

A risk factor increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for anxiety include:

  • Sex: female
  • Family member with anxiety disorders
  • Stressful life events
  • Ineffective coping strategies
  • History of physical or psychological trauma

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

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