Anxiety is a mental health condition that can be triggered by a wide spectrum of factors. While it’s perfectly natural to experience some anxiety from time to time, it’s not normal for it to wreak havoc on your day-to-day life. Too much anxiety can lead to uncontrollable worry, crippling fear, and panic attacks, as well as other adverse physical symptoms. Feelings of anxiety can sabotage your professional and personal pursuits and prevent you from enjoying life to the fullest.
What are the triggers of anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are incredibly common, so you’re not alone. The causes can be complicated based on a combination of influences. As a result, it’s important to discover your triggers because it’s a crucial step in managing your anxious thoughts and behaviors. Triggers can vary widely from person to person, but there are some usual suspects that generate anxiety in many people. Some of them include:
- Past trauma
- Medical/ Health concerns
- Negative mindset
- Financial concerns
- Social engagements
- Work environment
- Family disputes
- Marital conflicts
- Life transitions (e.g., relocation, divorce, death, etc.)
- Lack of work/life balance
- Substance use
- Perfectionism
- Lack of support
- News and social media
What causes random anxiety flare-ups?
Random flare-ups of anxiety sometimes go unexplained. Some reasons include hormonal changes or fluctuations experienced during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. In addition, chemical imbalances of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, may be the cause of random anxiety symptoms. Family history can also play a role, and you may be genetically predisposed to an anxiety disorder.
How to figure out what is causing anxiety?
Determining what is causing your anxiety can be a challenging process. Keeping a journal to identify patterns can be helpful. There may be specific situations, people, places, or activities that increase your anxiety levels. Sometimes, talking to a trusted friend or family member can provide insights. They may notice triggers that you haven’t considered. Many people have difficulty identifying the causes of their anxiety on their own. Consulting with a qualified mental health professional can help you uncover and address the underlying issues that trigger your anxiety.
What food triggers anxiety?
The adage, “You are what you eat,” may nurse a seed of truth when it comes to certain foods and beverages that can produce feelings of anxiety. Some common triggers related to what we consume may include:
Sugar Alternatives
Sugar-free options, such as aspartame and sucralose, may reduce calories but increase cortisol levels and create intestinal problems.
Food Additives
Although additives, like MSG and food dyes, enhance flavor and make food look appetizing, many people are highly sensitive to these artificial ingredients.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant and a beloved morning beverage for millions of people. It can sharpen focus and increase alertness; however, when consumed in excessive amounts, it can spike cortisol levels, which generate higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Processed Foods
Due to their high concentration of additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, the excessive consumption of “ultra-processed” foods has been linked to increased levels of depression and anxiety.
Energy Drinks
Due to high levels of caffeine and sugar, energy drinks give us a surge of energy. However, this spike also stimulates the nervous system and increases cortisol levels.
Alcohol
Though alcohol can suppress anxious thoughts, it causes changes in brain chemistry that adversely impact mood and emotions.
What makes your anxiety worse?
There are multiple causes that can exacerbate anxiety levels you may already be experiencing. Some common reasons include:
- Self-neglect
- Poor nutrition
- Poor or inadequate sleep
- Lack of exercise
- Pessimistic thinking
- Social Isolation
Why is my anxiety triggered so easily?
Anxiety can easily be triggered due to a combination of psychological, biological, or environmental factors. Previous traumatic experiences or painful life events can leave lasting emotional imprints and contribute to escalated levels of anxiety. Negative thinking patterns, learned behaviors, and maladaptive coping mechanisms can make you more susceptible to recurring spikes of anxious feelings. Most people can’t identify and resolve these challenges completely on their own. A qualified therapist can provide you with valuable insight into the underlying origins of your triggers and why your anxiety has a quick fuse.
Manage Your Anxiety at Fifth Avenue Psychiatry
We are a team of highly trained Psychologists and Psychiatrists who use evidence-based clinical treatments and therapies for all sorts of conditions, including anxiety disorders.
We offer an array of treatments, such as:
- Individualized Therapy
- Discreet Group Therapy for Executives
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Family Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Call us, and we’ll design a treatment program personalized to you or your loved one struggling with anxiety.
