The causes of anxiety are numerous. It can be caused by the effects of drugs, a physical or mental condition, or a combination of any of the above. First it is necessary to determine if it is a physical condition.

Some common causes may include several different medical conditions. Some of the same symptoms associated with panic disorders are also symptomatic of anxiety. Things such as palpitations, shortness of breath which can be caused by other things as well. An excess of caffeine, speed(amphetamines),or overactive thyroid. There are several different causes for all of the symptoms such as mitral valve prolapse or other heart abnormalities. Generalized anxiety disorder, phobic disorders or stress disorders are also common causes.

Some external causes for anxiety may include your stress at work or your stress from school. Money, marriage, illness can also be counted among the causes. Some medications that are prescribed can cause it and many illicit drugs such as meth or cocaine can definitely cause many of the symptoms of anxiety. High altitudes, COPD or blood clots in the lung which cause a lack of oxygen and subsequently all of the symptoms.

While depression and an anxiety disorder may have similar symptoms, treatment is very different. One of the problems with anxiety disorders is determining that the symptoms are in fact due to the anxiety or depression. Consultation with a physician or psychologist can determine this after a comprehensive examination.

There are many causes which include anxiety disorder and determining if it is shyness or an actual anxiety disorder. An understanding of social phobias or social anxiety will produce the answers to some of your questions. Children as well, can have panic attacks, anxiety and social phobias. What may appear initially to be shyness may in fact be anxiety. The fear of meeting and interacting with new people can cause a child to become anxious. If this "shyness" is carried to the extreme, some counseling may well be in order.

Having an extreme amount of anxiety that is related to your work can cause you to lose your job. Perhaps you want to change jobs due to the stress of the type of work you do or the people you work with. This is not uncommon. By making your plan and carrying it out, you will relieve some degree of that anxiety.

There are people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder or eating disorders that will cause them to injure themselves. While these may extreme cases, much of the manifestations can be attributed to anxiety. Having an impulse control disorder, such as pulling your hair out can be linked to anxiety or depression.

Physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, all are numerous and if they persist medical help should be sought after. They don't get better by themselves. Occasionally, in milder cases taking some lessons in relaxation can improve your anxiety quite a bit. If it does not, a psychologist or medical doctor may be needed. Teaching yourself breathing exercises is usually the first step in achieving a more relaxed feeling and allowing you to go about your normal activities of daily living.