How do I find the source of my anxiety? (2023)

How do you find the root cause of anxiety?

Topping the list, caffeine can do many things, including inducing anxiety. It can be great in small doses, though tolerance levels will vary from person to person. In some people, too much caffeine can be a trigger that worsens existing anxiety. Fortunately, it's also an easier trigger to control.

“The term high functioning anxiety describes an individual who, despite feeling anxious, seems able to effectively manage the demands of day-to-day life,” says psychologist Adam Borland, PsyD.

Anxiety triggers can be different for each person, but many triggers are common among people with these conditions. Most people find they have multiple triggers. But for some people, anxiety attacks can be triggered for no reason at all.

For example, anxiety can be a secondary emotion for anger, jealousy, hurt, disappointment, embarrassment, and sadness. You can also experience two secondary emotions at once, like anger and anxiety.

Untreated anxiety can get worse and cause more stress in a person's life. However, anxiety is highly treatable with therapy, natural remedies, lifestyle changes, and medications. A person may need to try several combinations of therapies and remedies before finding one that works.

Anxiety happens when a part of the brain, the amygdala, senses trouble. When it senses threat, real or imagined, it surges the body with hormones (including cortisol, the stress hormone) and adrenaline to make the body strong, fast and powerful.