Anxiety is often caused by the stressful situations of life, whether it’s associated with work, financial hardship, marital troubles or divorce or other daily challenges. Traumatic events, such as a loss of a loved one or witnessing an accident, can trigger intense anxiety. Anxiety can also be caused by a mental health condition, physical conditions, side effects from a medication, brain chemistry, genetics or substance abuse.

Problem anxiety may be caused by any one of these sources, or a combination of them. A physician must first conduct a medical evaluation to assess if the symptoms of anxiety are related to a physical condition. If no physical illness is present, then a referral to a mental health practitioner will be recommended in order to diagnose and proceed with treatment for anxiety.