by Ed Donner

Created on: October 30, 2009   Last Updated: October 31, 2009

I have noticed that when anxiety strikes we are often compelled to search for a cause for it. I think we do this naturally because we have learned that when we know what causes our anxiety then we can often do something about it.

The causes of anxiety are many but the emotional and physiological basis of any expression of anxiety is the Fight or Flight response. Humans have evolved a complex set of biochemical, physiological, emotional and behavioral responses to threatening situations. This response set is called the "Fight or Flight" response. Any time we feel anxiety, the Fight or Flight response is to blame.

When we appraise a situation as a potential threat almost every physiological system within our body is coordinated to prepare us to either attack or run away. The brain is kicked into action mode and the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Hormones are released into the bloodstream where they remain active for at least 20 to 30 minutes, keeping us vigilant and prepared for action.

Anxiety is the emotional experience that accompanies the fight or flight response. This response allows us to adapt to the profoundly challenging, constantly changing circumstances of life. When we perceive there is a problem, anxiety motivates us take direct action, or to get away from the situation. This is a good thing.

There are several problems with anxiety, though. When anxiety is too high or if it continues too long it cripples your ability to solve the problems that it is warning you about. It can also create problems of its own such as physical and psychiatric illness. And finally, you may have been warned but you still have to figure out what is causing the anxiety so you can tend to the problem.

So what are the causes of anxiety? What triggers the Fight or Flight response? And why do some people have more anxiety than others? There are hereditary factors, developmental causes, internal causal factors and external or situational causes.

Hereditary Factors

Anxiety runs in families. Carefully controlled genetic studies show there is a hereditary basis for anxiety. Even at birth, infants differ in how they respond to loud noises and other startling situations. People have different temperaments. Some people are born anxiety prone, and remain so through out their life.

Research has identified genetic causes for these differences between people. People differ in the availability of different brain chemicals, or neurotransmitters, including those that are involved

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