What Are the Common Causes of Anxiety?

If you’ve ever seen an old tree or one that has been dug up—you know that roots can grow deep and are often intertwined. With some roots visible on the surface, others go down deep into the ground. Some are small, weak, and fragile while others are large, strong, and resilient (which explains why it’s often difficult to pull a simple plant or weed out of the ground). And many times, roots overlap and interconnect so that it’s hard to distinguish where one ends and another begins.

The causes of anxiety are much like the roots of a tree. Surface level causes (situational or environmental factors) exist, and so do deeply-rooted, complex causes that relate to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These causes can overlap and interact in a variety of ways. Although the causes may be complicated, the Lord wants us to continue to look to Him and trust Him in every struggle—including anxiety.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”  (Jeremiah 17:7–8 esv)

As you uncover the various roots and causes of anxiety, invite God into the process. He cares about your heart, your thoughts, your pain . . . He cares about you. He wants you to stay rooted in Him every step of the way.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”  (Colossians 2:6–7 nlt)

Common factors that play a role in causing or contributing to anxiety include:

• Threats—Anxiety often occurs when a real or imagined threat appears. Threats can come from a variety of sources: new, unsafe, or unstable environments or social situations; being separated from loved ones and those who impart safety; experiencing loss (of a job, loved one, home, beliefs, values, etc.). Threats can make people feel fearful, uncertain, helpless, and trapped—all of which can contribute to anxiety.
• Conflicts—Interpersonal conflicts or internal conflicts can lead to anxiety because they typically involve opposing ideas, interests, choices, forces, etc. This can create pressure, stress, fear, and uncertainty which can contribute to anxiety.
• Stress—Accumulated stress over time from difficult life events, relationship troubles, major transitions, losses, trauma, or other stressful situations can increase the risk of experiencing anxiety— especially if stressors remain unresolved for long periods of time.
• Fear—Closely related to anxiety, fear of certain objects, places, situations, activities, or people can gradually increase over time and become more and more persistent. This increase also elevates anxiety. Some fears are real, but oftentimes many are imagined or based on an irrational belief. Fears frequently develop from traumatic experiences or being conditioned (learning to associate the feeling of fear and anxiety with a particular object or situation).
• Emotions—How well a person handles and expresses emotions— particularly negative emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness—can contribute to anxiety. Denying, repressing, or not being allowed to express emotions, especially over a long period of time, often serves to increase anxiety.
• Unmet Needs—When basic, survival needs are not met, or even when deeper needs for purpose, meaning, significance, security, and identity are not satisfied, it can lead to feeling fearful, worried, insecure, uncertain, and anxious.
• Biological Influences—Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol), medical conditions, certain medications, excessive caffeine or nicotine, diet, lack of sleep, muscle tension, genetic factors, gender, and brain chemistry are all influential factors for anxiety. Hypochondriasis (constantly worrying about your health) can contribute to anxiety.
• Personality and Individual Differences—Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination are common characteristics of those who struggle with anxiety. 
• Coping Skills—How well a person copes with stress and fear, whether approaching problems directly or avoiding them—including the use of medicine, drugs, and alcohol—can increase or decrease anxiety.Self-Talk—Constant negative (“I can’t”), fearful (“What if...”), and self-condemning (“I’m a failure”) thoughts can contribute to anxiety as they anticipate bad outcomes and train a person to feel unable to handle a situation.Beliefs—Underlying beliefs about yourself, God, others, and the world at large can contribute to anxiety. For example, if you believe God is unloving and harsh, you will likely feel more fearful and worried. If you believe God is gracious and compassionate, you will likely find more peace.
• Other individual differences related to personality, such as emotional sensitivity, can also contribute to anxiety.
• Family and Upbringing—Those whose parents struggled with anxiety are often more likely to struggle with it as well. Heredity may play a part, and witnessing and experiencing anxiety in other family members could be a learned response to becoming more anxious. Unhealthy coping mechanisms can contribute to anxiety. Those who grow up with critical, perfectionistic, abusive, neglectful, overprotective, or absent parents often feel a perpetual sense of unworthiness or insecurity, which can contribute to anxiety.  

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on  all he has made.”  

(Psalm 145:8–9)

Key Passage to Read

Consider this remarkable truth: God, the creator of all things, cares uniquely about you. David, once a shepherd himself, was stunned by this truth, saying, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3–4). God not only cares about you and the specifics of your life, and He has also given precise instructions to combat anxiety. He speaks directly to this issue, and He speaks directly to you. 

Philippians 4:4–9

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will  be with you.”

Key Verses to Learn

God’s Word offers the hope and promise of a changed life. The Lord will renew your mind—transforming the way you think, act, and live—as you saturate yourself in His Word. In the following questions, the boldfaced words serve as prompts to help you more easily memorize the verses related to this topic. May God’s truth come alive to you, flourish in you, and flow through you.

• On whom should I cast all my anxiety?

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  (1 Peter 5:7)

• If I am not anxious about anything, will I have peace, and will that peace guard my heart and my mind?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6–7)

• What can help me to not be afraid and not be discouraged?

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9)