Social Anxiety and Anxiety Causes
In general, the likelihood of developing social anxiety involves a combination of life experiences, psychological traits, biological factors and/or genetic factors. Since every person is different the relative roles of these factors are likely to differ. Some types of anxiety, like panic, appear to have a stronger genetic basis than others. The actual genes that may cause this have not been identified. Other anxiety disorders are more rooted in stressful life events.
It is not yet clear why women have higher incidence rates than men for most of the different types of anxiety. Research on women’s responses to stress also suggests that women experience and interpret a wider range of life events (e.g., those happening to friends) as stressful as compared with men who react to a more limited range of stressful events.
What the myriad of anxiety disorders have in common is that those who experience them often experience a state of increased arousal or fear. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive or irrational thoughts. The acute stress response is critical to understanding how our brain reacts to excessive or irrational thinking.
When humans experience fear or threat we react innately to survive. We are either ready for battle or we run away. This is where the term “fight-or-flight response” originates. The nature of the acute stress response is familiar to all of us, characterized by a surge in heart rate, sweating, intense breathing and muscle tension. The physiological changes activated by stressful events are triggered in a part of the brain stem called the locus ceruleus, which is the of most norepinephrine pathways in the brain. During stressful events, norepinephrine is in an excited state and is rapidly projected throughout the neural pathways.
Normally, when we are in a relaxed or serene state, the firing of neurons and release of norepinephrine is normal. When we experience a perceived threat, a more intense and prolonged discharge of the locus ceruleus activates the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, leading to the physiological changes described above.
Scientists are also exploring behavioral theories for the causes of anxiety. Two types of learning are believed to play a role in anxiety disorders: classical conditioning and vicarious or observational learning.
Classical conditioning - a neutral stimulus acquires the ability to elicit a fear response after repeated pairings with a frightening (unconditioned) stimulus.
Vicarious learning - Fearful behavior is acquired by observing others’ reactions to fear-inducing stimuli. Unpredictable positive and negative reinforcement is seen as leading to anxiety, especially because the person is unsure about whether avoidance behaviors are effective.
Cognitive factors, such as the way people interpret or think about threatening events, play a critical role in the development of anxiety. One decisive factor is the perception of the event. Anxiety is typified by a state of helplessness due to a perceived inability to predict, control, or obtain desired results. Negative cognitions like helplessness and uncontrollability are frequently found in individuals with anxiety.
Related Destinations:
Everyone is unique. That's why we've formulated multiple products and designed them to work together. Which Clarocet is right for you? Find a product based on your primary wellness concerns.
Does Clarocet really work? You bet it does! Browse through Clarocet success stories online or listen to real people, with real experiences share their success stories with you.
Visit the Clarocet Online Store to learn more about package types, shipping options and the latest discount specials.
Do you have questions? We have answers. Contact a Medicor Labs Customer Agent who can help, today.
Discover the science of nature in the Clinical Study Center where you can browse a complete list of Ingredient Profiles, learn how they work and review important safety information before you choose the Clarocet product that's right for you.
Emotional Wellness Resources on the Web:
123 Feel Better Life Change System [123FeelBetter.net]
The Wellness Channel [TheWellnessChannel.us]
Health and Wellness Articles, Tips and Resources [InsightJournal.com]
Herbs and Vitamins for Anxiety [InsightJournal.com]
Alternative Medicines That Can Help [TheHealthCenter.info]
Anxiety Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Stress Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Depression Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Social Anxiety Guide to Emotional Wellness [NCHW]
Adapted with permission from The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). NIMH is a component of the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Portions of this document have been adapted from the Surgeon General's Mental Health Report.
The resources in this section of our website are provided for informational purposes only. The Clarocet brand of products consists of nutritional dietary supplements that are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder.
