What causes anxiety?

Anxiety can be caused by a number of factors. One reason is disturbance in brain function related to the serotonin levels. This will ultimately cause symptoms of excessive worry or nervousness. Serotonin carries signals along and between nerves and is regarded by some researchers as a chemical that is responsible for maintaining mood balance.

Some risk factors for all types of anxiety disorders include:

A shy or nervous temperament as a child
Stressful and negative life or environmental events in early childhood or adulthood
A family history of anxiety or other mental illnesses

Stressful situations can temporarily worsen anxiety, but do not cause it. Our social and family environments can impact our experience of worry and anxiety as well. For example, if you are surrounded by others with high anxiety or were taught that many life situations and events warrant excessive worry, this may have influenced how you have grown to make sense of the world around you.

Other questions related to Anxiety

Understanding Social Anxiety

If you fear or dread social situations, it could be more than just shyness. What is social anxiety, what are its symptoms, and how is it treated?

Understanding and Coping with Anxiety

Sometimes it can feel difficult to figure out if you’re suffering from anxiety, stress, both, or something else entirely. The truth is the lines can be a little blurred when it comes to the causes and symptoms of anxiety for each person.

Hear from a Psychiatrist: What’s Online Psychiatry Like?

If you've never had an online psychiatry visit before, you might have some questions about how the process works. Dr. Churi, Amwell’s staff psychiatrist, shares answers and helpful information about telepsychiatry.

5 Signs You May Benefit from Seeing a Therapist

It’s important to seek support for what matters most: your emotional well-being. Too often, we have a poor understanding of how to practice self-care, or we avoid it all together. And while self-care is something a mental health professional is likely to recommend to you, most agree that getting professional help from a licensed therapist should be a priority.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is an often-used term. But what does it mean, what are the benefits to your physical and mental health, and how can you practice being mindful?

Managing Anxiety During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus and the disease it causes — COVID-19 — is on everyone’s minds and it’s creating a great deal of anxiety. In order to make healthy choices and get through these difficult times as smoothly as possible, it’s important to understand and manage the anxiety that surrounds COVID-19. Here are some tips for you and your family:

Frequently Asked Questions