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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThings that may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder include:
- Being female. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
- Childhood trauma. Children who endured abuse or trauma or witnessed traumatic events are at higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder at some point in life.
- Stress due to an illness. Having a chronic health condition or serious illness such as cancer can cause significant worry about the future, your treatment and possibly your finances.
- Stress buildup. A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, ongoing worry about finances or a death in the family.
- Personality. People with some personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than are others. In addition, some personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, may be linked to anxiety disorders.
- Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can run in families.
- Substance use. Drug or alcohol abuse can cause or worsen anxiety.
References
- Anxiety disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Hollander E, et al. Anxiety disorders. In: Hales RE, et al. Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=335698. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Katon W, et al. Anxiety disorders. In: Rakel R. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202053603-6/0/1481/624.html?tocnode=53395. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Kercher EE, et al. Anxiety disorders. In: Marx JM, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00110-9--s0025&uniq=202069582&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Hettema JM, et al. The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for anxiety disorders in men and women. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2005;62:182.
- Hoffman EJ, et al. Anxiety disorders: A comprehensive review of pharmacotherapies. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine. 2008;75:248.
- Roy-Byrne PP, et al. Anxiety disorders and comorbid medical illness. General Hospital Psychiatry. 2008;30:208.
- Lee RA. Anxiety disorders. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154207005-3/0/1494/57.html?tocnode=54111716&fromURL=57.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50014-4_229. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Saeed SA, et al. Herbal and dietary supplements for treatment of anxiety disorders. American Family Physician. 2007;76:549.
- Donker T, et al. Psychoeducation for depression, anxiety and psychological distress: A meta-analysis. BMC Medicine. 2009;7:79.
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