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Anxiety disorders tend to run in families.
As with many mental health diagnoses, anxiety has agenetic component.
However, a genetic predisposition does not guarantee that someone will develop an anxiety disorder.
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In addition, some people with anxiety disorders do not report afamily history of anxiety.
What Does It Mean for Anxiety to Be Genetic?
Genes can interact with the environment as well.
Even without trauma, though, people can be genetically predisposed to mental health issues.
Can Anxiety Be Genetic?
However, the current literature focuses on limited sample sizes.
Is anxiety genetic?
The existing studies indicate that there is likely a genetic component to anxiety.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxietyrefers to feelings of fear, worry, dread, nervousness, or foreboding.
Everyone experiences these feelings from time to time, and it can be adaptive and helpful to experience anxiety.
Some people may experienceclinically significant anxietysymptoms.
Will My Children Have Anxiety Too?
If your child exhibits anxiety symptoms, your experience can help yousupport themand understand their symptoms.
How Can I Know Who Will Inherit Anxiety?
If you have a family history of anxiety, be aware of thevarious types of anxietyand their symptoms.
Be aware of your stress level and that of your family members.
If you have children, let them know that they can come to you with stress or other concerns.
Since early intervention can help prevent symptoms from worsening, this open communication can be very beneficial.
Will My Anxiety Be the Same as Other Family Members?
Anxiety can manifest in many ways.
Anxiety can also vary in severity depending on stress, lifestyle, and other factors.
Some providers prescribebenzodiazepinemedications for as-needed relief from intense anxiety symptoms.
All medication has the potential for risks or side effects.
If you feel like medication would be appropriate for your anxiety symptoms, talk to your primary physician.
They can answer questions you have about your diagnosis and various treatment options.
Lifestyle Changes
Making certain lifestyle changes can also help manage your symptoms of anxiety.
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