Does Anxiety Run In Families

What Causes Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are like other forms of mental illness. They dont come from personal weakness, character flaws or problems with upbringing. But researchers dont know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. They suspect a combination of factors plays a role:

• Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the chemical balance that controls your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can lead to an anxiety disorder.
• Environmental factors: Experiencing a trauma might trigger an anxiety disorder, especially in someone who has inherited a higher risk to start.
• Heredity: Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. You may inherit them from one or both parents, like eye color.

How Are Anxiety Disorders Diagnosed

If you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, talk to your healthcare provider. Theyll start with a complete medical history and physical examination.

There are no lab tests or scans that can diagnose anxiety disorders. But your provider may run some of these tests to rule out physical conditions that may be causing symptoms.

What Are The Symptoms Of Gad

All of us are born with the instinctive fight or flight response that helped our ancestors escape predators and other threats. When we are afraid, concerned, or stressed, the part of our brain responsible for the fight or flight response will generate the nervous, fearful sensation we call anxiety. While everyone experiences anxiety at times, children with anxiety disorders contend with excessive worrying that does not subside the way normal anxiety does.

Children with generalized anxiety disorder experience excessive and uncontrollable worry about a number of events or activities. They feel anxious in multiple settings and are often unable to put their worries aside no matter how hard they try.

Examples of common worries experienced by children with GAD include:

• past behaviors and incidents
• social acceptance
• personal abilities
• perceived personal shortcomings
• school performance

Children with GAD often worry about the same subjects as children who do not have an anxiety disorder. The difference is that for a child with GAD, there is no on-off switch for the worry: it is ever-present and so extreme that it interferes with the childs ability to relax, concentrate, and enjoy activities.

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can vary. They may include:

Physical signs and symptoms may include:

• muscle tension or muscle aches

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Exposure Therapy For Anxiety

Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy in which the individual is exposed to the trigger or threat for a repeated number of times until the feared stimulus or response is eliminated. Exposing an individua who becomes anxious in congested spaces to images of crowded malls or train stations is an example of imaginal exposure therapy. Over time this individual will become more comfortable with the image and will be able to venture into crowded areas without having this unrealistic fear.

If youre struggling with anxiety, Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program is here to help. Reach out to us today.

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What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about a variety of events. It is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, muscular tension, restlessness, heart palpitations, and stomach upset. Children and adolescents with GAD may worry excessively about their performance and competence at school or in sporting events, about personal safety and the safety of family members, or about natural disasters and future events.

The difference between normal feelings of anxiety and the presence of generalized anxiety disorder is that children with GAD worry more often and more intensely than other children in the same circumstances. Children with GAD tend to worry about the same things as their non-anxious peers, but they do so in excess. These worries and associated symptoms cause significant distress and impair daily functioning. Children with GAD are often overly self-critical and avoid activities in which they feel that may not be able to perform perfectly. They also tend to seek frequent reassurance from caregivers, teachers, and others about their performance, although this reassurance provides only fleeting relief from their worries.

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What Causes Mental Illness To Run In Families

We do not fully understand what causes mental illness. Or why it can be passed on in families.

When a condition is passed on in families through genes, it is called hereditary.

As the table above shows, the chances of developing a mental illness could depend on you and your relatives genes.

It does seem that mental illness can be hereditary. But we do not fully understand how this works. Mental illness may be passed on in family members for different reasons, not just genes.

John is an identical twin. This means he and his brother Sam have the exact same genes. This is why they look the same. John has depression, but his brother Sam has never had any mental health problems. If mental illness only had a genetic cause, then John and Sam would both have depression.

Environmental factors, like loneliness or a stressful life event, can cause mental illness. If you have a family history of mental illness you have a higher chance of developing mental illness in these situations.

This doesnt mean that you will definitely develop a mental illness. People with no family history of mental illness can develop a mental illness too.

There are different ways of looking after your mental health, which are explained more further down this page.

Environment Matters When It Comes To Depression

We know that there is a strong correlation between a persons environment and depression. For example, people who live unhealthy lifestyles may also have a more difficult time overcoming depression symptoms than healthier people. Some studies have shown that people who have parents or family members with depression may be more susceptible. If you spend your life watching someone suffer from untreated depression symptoms, then you might not realize their behaviors are unhealthy.

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Tips To Avoid Depression And Anxiety

If youâre at risk for depression or anxiety, youâll want to do everything you can to prevent them, just as you would with any other serious medical condition:

Consider starting counseling proactively. Finding a therapist before thereâs a problem can help you learn skills to manage situations that could trigger anxiety or depression. Tell them about your familyâs history of these or other conditions. If you want a referral, ask your doctor.

Brush up on key nutrients. A healthy diet can help support your body and brain. Make sure youâre getting enough of these nutrients:

• Omega-3 fatty acids. Theyâre in some fish , flaxseed, and pumpkin seeds. These fats are needed for brain health.
• B vitamins. People with low B vitamin levels are more likely to develop depression. Foods that contain B vitamins include green vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, meat, eggs, and other animal products.
• Vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to depression, but itâs not clear if they actually cause it. Your body makes vitamin D if you get some time in the sun, or you can get it from fortified foods or supplements.

Limit added sugars. Foods that naturally have sugar in them, like fruit, will keep your bodyâs energy at a more constant level.

Make exercise a habit. Research shows it can help with mild to moderate depression. And itâs a great way to release stress, boost your mood and energy level, and take care of your physical health.

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Can Anxiety Be Cured Naturally

The stress in a persons life can be caused by unaddressed anxiety. Therapy, natural remedies, lifestyle changes, and medications are some of the treatments for anxiety. A person may need to try many different remedies before finding one that works.

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Theres A Depression Gene

Think back to 7th-grade science class and you might recall a basic lesson or two about genetics. Remember that genes are the building blocks of all life. Genetics help explain what makes you unique, why some family members look like they could be twins, and why certain diseases tend to run in families.

In one British study, the chromosome 3p25-26 was found in more than 800 families with recurrent depression which traces depression to a genetic link. But depression isnt 100% genetic scientists think that number is more like 40%.

So, what about the other 60%?? Science points to environmental factors.

What Are Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. But anxiety disorders are treatable and a number of effective treatments are available. Treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives.

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How Do I Get Tested For Anxiety

Getting tested for anxiety is easy. Just send your doctor a letter asking him to refer you to a psychiatrist. Go to the psychiatrist and tell him about your emotions and fears and if he thinks you suffer from severe anxiety, he will refer you to a therapist or a psychologist. You can also visit a therapist or psychologist on your own if you want to..

The Case For Depression

The U.S. NLM says depression and anxiety are genetically linked. Depression is known to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors contribute to the risk of developing this disease. However, research into the genetics of depression is in its early stages, and very little is known for certain about the genetic basis of the disease. Studies suggest that variations in many genes, each with a small effect, combine to increase the risk of developing depression.

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When Does Anxiety Run In The Family

In general, anxiety disorders tend to run in the family, meaning that there tends to be a history of anxiety disorders in the family. This does not mean that everyone in the family will have an anxiety disorder, just that they are more likely to have one than someone from a family with no history of anxiety disorders. It is estimated that between 10%-13% of the US population will have a diagnosable anxiety disorder in a given year..

Find A Support System

Trying to parent while struggling with your own mental health can be a challenge, but you dont have to do it alone. There is a lot of support online, on blogs, forums and social media. Getting support from the people in your life is important, too. Those people can be therapists, co-parents, or friends anyone who will step in when you feel overwhelmed, or even just offer words of support. I am a part of an actual support group, but I also have a network of friends, says Veith. I am open with friends about who I am, because I need to be able to call on them and ask for help.

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What The Research Shows

Doctors see signs that anxiety and depression are partly hereditary from studies of twins. Identical twins have the same set of genes, while fraternal twins share only half of their genes. Theyâre more likely to both have anxiety or depression, compared to fraternal twins. This suggests that these conditions may be linked to certain genes, which makes them hereditary.

But no single gene has been found that causes depression or anxiety. So itâs hard to explain how either of these conditions are passed down through genes. Combinations of different genes from your parents may affect whether youâre likely to get anxiety or depression. But doctors donât know which exact groups of genes cause these conditions.

Keep in mind that most medical conditions arenât only driven by genetics. Your environment, lifestyle, and personal experiences are also important. Families often share those things, which can make it hard to tell what role genetics play. There may be some mix of genetic risk and other things in a personâs daily life.

Types Of Disorders Associated With Anxiety

Anxiety is a collective term associated with different conditions.

• Panic disorder this is a condition whereby terror strikes at random intervals. When you are having a panic attack, you can develop chest pains, experience palpitations, and sweat. In some cases, you may feel like you are experiencing a heart attack or choking.
• Certain Phobias this is characterized by an intense fear of situations or objects. While it is normal to have phobias, it can go far and beyond what is considered normal. Sometimes, it makes it hard for you to lead a normal life as you avoid situations that may present you with the need to face your fears.
• General anxiety disorder the person suffering experiences unrealistic worry over situations. Sometimes, they worry about situations that are only in their heads.

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Is Anxiety A Learned Behavior

__% of people suffer from anxiety, and it affects their performance at work, personal life and relationships. Learning causes us to associate something with something else, and that process can be done implicitly and subconsciously. This is why we can learn to to fear certain things were born with the capacity to learn and to learn certain things, and we can make associations and associations very quickly and very quickly. Thus, we can learn to be anxious and we can learn to be to not be anxious, and we can learn to be anxious very quickly..

What Else Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

If you have an anxiety disorder, ask your provider:

• Whats the best treatment for me?
• Do I need medication? What type?
• How long should I take medication?
• What type of psychotherapy will work best?
• What else can I do to manage my symptoms?
• What other conditions am I at risk for?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

An anxiety disorder can make it difficult to get through your day. Anxiety disorder symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear. You may also have physical symptoms such as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. But you dont need to live like this. Several effective anxiety disorder treatments are available. Talk to your healthcare provider to figure out your diagnosis and the best treatment plan. Often, treatment combines medications and therapy. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants, together with CBT, can help you feel your best.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/17/2020.

References

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How To Break A Family Cycle Of Anxiety

Parents who are concerned about passing on anxiety cant change their childrens genes, but they can work to create a less anxious environment.

The first step is awareness, Dr. Harp says. When she talks to mothers in her work with postpartum depression and anxiety, she asks, Who in your family was anxious?

Almost always, a primary caregiver modeled that for them, Dr. Harp says. And they realize that they might be modeling anxious beliefs and behaviors for their own children. Its not the parents faultthey are simply doing what they inherited and absorbedbut its why treating a parents anxiety is critical.

If youre a parent struggling with anxiety, getting yourself into therapy can have a major positive impact on your children. If you notice persistent anxious thoughts or behaviors in your child, talk to his or her pediatrician as early as possible so that treatment, if needed, can begin before patterns are established.

Im so glad when people are in treatment because its potentially going to have a multigenerational effect of ending the transmission of anxiety, Dr. Harp says.

If youre concerned about mental health in your family, talk to your doctor. If you dont have a doctor, find one near you.

How Do I Know If My Child Has An Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety-related problems in children share four common features. The anxiety:

• Is typically a fear or fixation that interferes with the ability to enjoy life, get through the day or complete tasks.
• Is puzzling to both the child and parents.
• Does not improve after logical explanations to address the worries.

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Peripheral Stress Markers And Psychophysiology

Further association studies have combined candidate markers with peripheral, eg, physiological, readouts as relevant intermediate phenotypes of GAD.

The 5-HTTLPR S allele has been shown to predict higher salivary cortisol levels in an interaction with a latent anxiety trait in older but not younger adults.41

Furthermore, a peripheral biological stress marker has been explored by measuring leukocyte telomere length in internalizing disorders in a prospective longitudinal fashion, with persistence of internalizing disorder negatively predicting telomere length.42 This still remained significant after accounting for psychiatric medication, substance dependence, childhood maltreatment, physical health, and socioeconomic status.42 GAD diagnoses predicted a more severe telomere erosion than depression and posttraumatic stress disorder across a monitored time interval of 12 years in males, but not in females.42

Who Is At Risk For Anxiety Disorders

A mix of genetic and environmental factors can raise a persons risk for developing anxiety disorders. You may be at higher risk if you have or had:

• Certain personality traits, such as shyness or behavioral inhibition feeling uncomfortable with, and avoiding, unfamiliar people, situations or environments.
• Stressful or traumatic events in early childhood or adulthood.
• Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions.
• Certain physical conditions, including thyroid problems and heart arrhythmias .

Anxiety disorders occur more often in women. Researchers are still studying why that happens. It may come from womens hormones, especially those that fluctuate throughout the month. The hormone testosterone may play a role, too men have more, and it may ease anxiety. Its also possible that women are less likely to seek treatment, so the anxiety worsens.

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