Sometimes, the best cure to your anxiety is knowing where it originates from. One root cause could be your family history. This discovery could help you in your healing journey.
We all experience anxiety at one point or the other. And when you feel anxious about doing some things, it’s quite normal. Your heart skips for a beat because of that fear. However, when it gets crippling to a point where that fear becomes a constant companion, then it’s a disorder. Chronic anxiety has become a nightmare of many.
People rarely see the signs of anxiety disorder even when it’s right before their eyes. This is because most people with anxiety are overachievers. The fear of not getting things done right affects them severely. It pushes them to work harder even if this affects their mentality.
They constantly feel the pressure and fear of what might happen if they don’t achieve their goals. So, they worry and keep worrying until it affects their health.
Signs and causes of anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorder could take any form like panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
This mental illness could be caused by medical conditions, life events or even the environment. According to Alvarado Park Institute. It could also be a result of one’s family history. Also, it could forge over years of experiences.
“In fact, any experience you’ve ever had can cause an anxiety disorder. And, despite how common they are, the specific causes of this mental illness are still unknown. What studies do show, though, is that anxiety disorders appear to run in families.”
What your family history says about your anxiety
Your family could have a strong impact on how your anxiety issue got shaped. One or both of your parents have dealt with it or you had a traumatic experience. Either way, you can still get yourself treated through mindful meditation, living a healthier lifestyle, or changing your lifestyle entirely.
However, the best solution is to get professional help from a therapist. Seek help, and don’t feel ashamed to do so, because there are more people deal with it more than you think. Now, here are ways your family history could have caused your anxiety issues according to Joshua Klapow, PhD, clinical psychologist and host of The Kurre and Klapow Show.
1. One or both parents were anxious all the time
Children are very impressionable and can develop habits easily. Growing up with parents or grandparents who have anxiety could cause a child to become anxious too. Dr Klapow mentions, “If your parents or grandparents had anxiety disorders, or were ‘high strung’ or ‘stressed out’ all the time, there is a decent chance that you inherited some of those genetic traits.”
2. Your parents were indecisive
If you were never sure of what your parents wanted because they never made up their mind, it could be a source. Not knowing if you’re doing the right thing could also cause your anxiety. As Dr Klapow says, “If they were not dependable, or frequently sent mixed messages about how to behave in the house, it could contribute to anxiety.”
3. They were overachievers
Parents who are too strict about their child’s success could cause that child to become anxious about not succeeding. If it’s not perfect, then it’s worthless. Growing up around perfectionists can cause you to become one too.
4. Your parents were cold and distant
A child wants to feel loved and nurtured by their parents. When this isn’t plausible it becomes an issue. Parents who are cold and distant cause a deep-rooted fear in their child. As Dr Klapow says, “Your environment and [upbringing] can drive your anxiety. If your parents were cold and distant, or highly authoritative, then your anxiety could absolutely stem from their parenting practices — even if they themselves never had an anxiety problem.”
5. They didn’t treat stress well
If growing up taught you that when stressed you should panic, then you’re more likely to be like that. Parents’ reactions to stress can go a long way in impacting that child’s behavioural trait as well. “If your parents endured some sort of traumatic experience that you were present for — maybe a death of their parents or siblings — and they had severe stress reactions, your observations of those reactions could result in your own traumatic response,” Dr Klapow says.
Having an anxiety disorder is not the end of the world, and you can get better. First, make up your mind and be intentional about your healing process to enjoy the journey to better mindfulness.