RISK FACTORS

These factors may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder:
•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 health condition or serious illness can cause significant worry about issues such as your treatment and your future.
•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.
•Drugs or alcohol. Drug or alcohol use or abuse can cause or worsen anxiety.

COMPLICATIONS:

Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical health conditions, such as:
•Depression (which often occurs with anxiety disorder)
•Substance abuse
•Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
•Digestive or bowel problems
•Headaches
•Teeth grinding (bruxism)