Etiology
Research indicates that anxiety disorders are more likely
to occur in individuals whose parents have been affected
(Halter et al., 2010). Genetics are not the only cause, however.
These complex disorders also appear to be related to
traumatic life events, as well as environmental and social factors.
A child’s environment during the formative years can be
a factor in the development of an anxiety disorder, especially
in one who is genetically predisposed. Stressors encountered
at an early age including divorcing parents, poverty, or exposure
to abuse can lead to the development of anxiety, as well
as a parent who displays anxious responses to stress. Medical
illnesses and brain injuries can also be a cause of anxiety, as
can pregnancy and all of the uncertainty surrounding what
will happen throughout (Halter et al., 2010).