What triggers anxiety for you? We’re all different. Some of us just feel anxious all the time for no apparent reason. Others of us know what sets us off like giving speeches or test taking.
I’ve made a list of 10 of the most common anxiety triggers I can think of. If you have any, please share!
1. Steroid Hormone Imbalances – especially lack of progesterone in women and testosterone in men.
2. Neurotransmitter Imbalance – especially low epinephrine, serotonin, and GABA. (neurotransmitters are brain communicating chemicals).
3. Coffee – standard coffee creates a surge of adrenalin (epinephrine) that can cause anxiety.
4. Blood Sugar Drops – a quick drop in blood sugar causes the body to send out a surge of adrenaline (epinephrine), cortisol, and hgh. When our adrenals are weak, this can make us feel super anxious or even have a panic attack.
5. Adrenal Fatigue – weak adrenals can’t keep up with calming brain chemical demands.
6. Food Allergies – if our body doesn’t like certain foods and has an extreme response it can go into fight or flight. Flight can equal ANXIETY!
7. Phobias – test taking, traffic jams, heights, airplanes, spiders …. need I say more!
8. Thyroid Hormone Imbalance – very common, often overlooked.
9. Vitamin / Mineral Deficiency – B VITAMINS (esp. B6, B12)! Magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, chromium.
10. Infection – sounds weird, but I have known people who have had low grade infections that caused anxiety. Once the infection was gone, poof – no more anxiety.
Funny, most of these triggers aren’t “In Your Head!”. Surprised? More on that HERE.
what about anxiety over health issues like cancer, chronic conditions, marriage, illness of family members, death, unhappiness in where you live, work, etc. being in a rut, boredom, loneliness, all these things can bring on anxiety and depression. Yes???
If it get’s to be true “anxiety” and not concerns over these concerns, then you might take a close look at what’s going on in your body and emotions that has put you into a depleted state. I cannot make medical claims or prescribe treatments, but if you feel your “life situations” are ruling your peace of mind – it might be time to take care of you and get your body / mind strong again.
Hope that helps!
Jen
Another condition that causes anxiety is being dehydrated. Apparently I have had this problem for a while, and it has gotten worse in recent months. I’m trying to take care of that by getting hydrated again. In my research on anxiety, hypoglycemia and diet, I’ve come across a lot of information about dehydration and anxiety, and how they are linked.
That is awesome information! Thanks for sharing. Everyone’s triggers cease to amaze me.
Jen