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34 Health & Food
WHAT TRIGGERS ANXIETY? 11 Causes That May Surprise You
Triggers
Identifying
triggers
Symptoms
Seek help
Takeaway
Anxiety is a mental health condition that can
cause feelings of worry, fear, or tension. For some
people, anxiety can also cause panic attacks and
extreme physical symptoms, like chest pain. Anxiety
disorders are incredibly common. They affect an
estimated 40 million people in the United States,
according to the Anxiety and Depression Association
of America. What causes anxiety and anxiety disorders
can be complicated. It’s likely that a combination of
factors, including genetics and environmental reasons,
play a role. However, it’s clear that some events, emotions,
or experiences may cause symptoms of anxiety to
begin or may make them worse. These elements
are called triggers.
ANXIETY TRIGGERS
1. Health issues
A health diagnosis that’s upsetting or difficult, such
as cancer or a chronic illness, may trigger anxiety or make
it worse. This type of trigger is very powerful because of
the immediate and personal feelings it produces.
You can help reduce anxiety caused by health issues by
being proactive and engaged with your doctor. Talking
with a therapist may also be useful, as they can help you
learn to manage your emotions around your diagnosis.
2. Medications
Certain prescription and over-the-counter (OTC)
medications may trigger symptoms of anxiety. That’s
because active ingredients in these medications may
make you feel uneasy or unwell. Those feelings can set
off a series of events in your mind and body that may
lead to additional symptoms of anxiety.
Medicines that may trigger anxiety include:
- birth control pills - cough and congestion medications
- weight loss medications
Talk with your doctor about how these drugs make you
feel and look for an alternative that doesn’t trigger your
anxiety or worsen your symptoms.
3. Caffeine
Many people rely on their morning cup of joe to wake
up, but it might actually trigger or worsen anxiety.
According to one study in 2010, people with panic
disorder and social anxiety disorderare especially
sensitive to the anxiety-inducing effects of caffeine.
Work to cut back your caffeine intake b y substituting
noncaffeinated options whenever possible.
4. Skipping meals
When you don’t eat, your blood sugar may drop. That
can lead to jittery hands and a rumbling tummy. It can
also trigger anxiety. Eating balanced meals is important
for many reasons. It provides you with energy and
important nutrients. If you can’t make time for three
meals a day, healthy snacks are a great way to prevent
low blood sugar, feelings of nervousness or agitation,
and anxiety. Remember, food can affect your mood.
5. Negative thinking
Your mind controls much of your body, and that’s
certainly true with anxiety. When you’re upset or
frustrated, the words you say to yourself can trigger
greater feelings of anxiety.
If you tend to use a lot of negative words when
thinking about yourself, learning to refocus your
language and feelings when you start down this
path is helpful. Working with a therapist can be
incredibly helpful with this process.
6. Financial concerns
Worries about saving money or having debt can
trigger anxiety. Unexpected bills or money fears
are triggers, too.
Learning to manage these types of triggers may
require seeking professional help, such as from a
financial advisor.
Feeling you have a companion and a guide in the
process may ease your concern.
7. Parties or social events
If a room full of strangers doesn’t sound like
fun, you’re not alone. Events that require you to
make small talk or interact with people you don’t
know can trigger feelings of anxiety, which may be
diagnosed as social anxiety disorder.
To help ease your worries or unease, you can
always bring along a companion when possible.
But it’s also important to work with a professional
to find coping mechanisms that make these events
more manageable in the long term.
8. Conflict
Relationship problems, arguments, disagreements
— these conflicts can all trigger or worsen anxiety.
If conflict particularly triggers you, you may need to
learn conflict resolution strategies.
Also, talk with a therapist or other mental health
expert to learn how to manage the feelings these
conflicts cause.