Why am I so Anxious? Common Causes of Anxiety

Anxiety is a topic that many people, myself included, struggle with; which is why I wanted to share some of the most common causes of anxiety. With these potential causes in mind, it will be easier to identify what’s really going on and take steps to help you become less anxious.

Cause 1: Traumatic Experiences

Traumatic experiences can happen in many ways, but they tend to leave us with post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder is often the result of a traumatic experience in which we felt helpless and in danger, and we don’t think we can trust anyone else to protect us.

Cause 2: Fear of Failure

Fear of failure can be related to anxiety disorders because we often fear that others will judge us for making mistakes and not living up to our own expectations (we’re afraid of negative feedback). We often avoid situations where we might fail or make mistakes in front of people because we don’t want to be embarrassed, judged, or criticized.

Cause 3: Fear of Embarrassment

We all have a tendency to avoid situations that would make us feel ashamed and embarrassed. We fear that others will think badly of us, and we’re afraid to stand out and be different from the crowd. This fear can lead to social anxiety problems, such as not wanting to speak up in group discussions or participate in team activities for fear that we’ll stand out and be criticized for what we say or do.

Cause 4: Fear of Rejection or Abandonment

We often run into problems when we’re fearful that others will reject us or leave us. This may be due to the abandonment issues we had in our family when we were young, or it may simply be the result of circumstances in which we feel insecure in our relationships with others. We often fear that our friends or family will not want to hang out with us anymore, so we try to avoid situations where this might happen (by isolating ourselves).

Cause 5: Fear of Losing Control

We’re often very afraid of losing control; which can become an issue if we’re struggling with anxiety. We often don’t want to experience the feelings of nervousness or feeling tense that other people do, which makes it difficult for us to relax. When we feel anxious, our muscles tighten up and stay that way. We can’t help but let our thoughts run through our head about how this is all out of our control.

Cause 6: Fear of Pain or Hurt

We may avoid certain things because we are afraid of pain or hurt, such as heights, small spaces, or confronting someone who has hurt us before. If we haven’t dealt with these fears in the past, they can be quite extreme and very difficult to deal with.

Cause 7: Lack of Self-Confidence

Often, we struggle with our self-confidence, or we feel like we don’t have the confidence to pursue certain goals. When this causes anxiety, it can be very difficult to succeed. If you’re feeling unsure of yourself, you may not be confident about trying new things or taking on new challenges because you’re afraid of failing. This puts you at a disadvantage in your life because the more challenges you take on, the better your chances of succeeding are.

Cause 8: Family Issues

Family issues that have been lingering for a long time can cause anxiety. We may have issues that have been going on in the family for years, so we don’t want to deal with it. We may also feel as if we don’t have a place in our family, so we avoid being around people so as not to be embarrassing or to be judged. These feelings can cause problems in our social lives and relationships.

There are many causes of anxiety disorders, so it’s important to discover what is causing yours. You can do this by exploring your thoughts and feelings, thinking about your past traumatic experiences, and identifying thoughts that may be irrational. Once you find the cause for your anxiety disorder, talk to a counselor or other type of help professional.

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