What are the causes of and risk factors for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A precise cause of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is not known, but doctors have identified a variety of experiential, biological, environmental, psychological and cultural factors. GAD is associated with irregular levels of neurotransmitters in the brain — chemicals that carry signals across nerve endings such as norepinephrine and serotonin. These irregularities can triggered by stressors in people who are predisposed to high levels of anxiety by hereditary factors and environmental influences; often traumatic events in early life can make a person vulnerable to anxiety disorders. Parenting style, family environment and culture may also influence whether a person is susceptible to developing GAD. Research shows that generalized anxiety disorder tends to run in families, so a genetic link may be involved, but anxiety and fearfulness can also be learned behaviors transmitted to youngsters by adults in their lives. People of certain personality types are more susceptible to anxiety
