What Is the Cause of Anxiety Attacks?

You may experience anxiety attacks at the most inopportune times, such as when you are giving a sales pitch or during a family crisis. The causes of anxiety attacks include stress, health disorders and family history, and the symptoms can be managed with medications and counseling as directed by your doctor. Consider this information from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Mayo Clinic about the causes of anxiety attacks.

Genetics

If your parent or sibling has anxiety attacks, you may have a genetic predisposition for having them as well.

Illness

A severe or prolonged illness or injury may cause you to have anxiety attacks resulting from physical stress on your body.

Emotional Stress

Being under heavy emotional stress from marital problems or family relationships may cause you to have anxiety attacks.

Personality

You may have anxiety attacks as a result of a worrisome personality or if you have experienced significant setbacks or loss in your life.

Mental Health Disorders

If you have been diagnosed with certain mental health disorders, such as clinical depression or obsessive compulsive disorder, you may experience anxiety attacks.

Social Events

Anxiety attacks may result from participating in social events, such giving a speech or meeting people you do not know.

Financial Worries

If you have frequent worries about your personal finances or concerns about losing your job, you may experience anxiety attacks.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Anxiety Disorder