When You Don’t Know Why You’re Anxious

Intro: Catherine was at a good place in her life. She had a job she loved. She was married to a loving, supportive spouse. She had even been accepted into graduate school and was excited about her future. But for some reason, she felt a constant subtle anxiety just hanging out in the background. Most days her stomach felt tight and burned. She felt nauseous, but medical tests showed nothing wrong. She couldn’t sleep, and she always felt stressed.

Most of us feel anxious from time to time, and we recover pretty quickly. But when anxiety becomes a way of life, or if we don’t know why we’re anxious, it can be frustrating. If you feel anxious and you don’t know why, it’s a good idea to take a closer look.

Possible Reasons for Anxiety:

• Anxiety Disorder: This is the most common mental health disorder, but less than 40% of people get help for this treatable condition.
• Genetics: Many people inherit an anxious disposition from a parent. Again, this is a treatable condition.
• Trauma Triggers: Your body may associate certain sights, sounds, places, smells, or textures with a trauma from your past. You may not even be aware this is happening, but your body responds with fear.
• Diet: Certain foods can make anxiety worse. These include sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods.
• Physical health problems: Certain issues, such as heart or thyroid issues, can trigger anxiety.
• Overstimulation: Ongoing loud noises, bright lights, large crowds, or even long-term intellectual challenges can cause anxiety symptoms.
• Medications: Anxiety may be a side effect of a prescription drug.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Low levels of certain vitamins and minerals can cause anxiety.
• Hormonal changes: Anxiety is one of the common symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
• Recreational drug use: Drugs can aggravate anxiety symptoms.

Many people who feel anxious for no reason have actually been anxious since childhood, and anxiety may feel “normal” to them. But long-term anxiety produces stress hormones that in high doses are harmful to our bodies.

One of the best ways to get rid of underlying anxiety is to give your nervous system a break. Resist stress, and work with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. Also see your primary care provider to find out if the root cause could be medically or nutritionally related.

Tips for Coping With Anxiety

If you’re feeling anxious for no reason, here are some other things to try:

• Practice slow, deep breathing techniques. See the resource list below for ideas.
• Practice meditation or prayer. This has a calming effect on the body.
• Keep an anxiety journal. Record your anxiety episodes and the circumstances surrounding them. This will help you find possible causes.
• Incorporate healthy habits into your life, such as a diet heavy in fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins. Exercise regularly. When you give your body the tools it needs, and avoid unhealthy things such as processed foods, excessive alcohol, and a sedentary lifestyle, it will work in your favor.
• Some products have been shown to help with anxiety, such as weighted blankets, light therapy lamps, and magnesium supplements. Magnesium promotes a calm feeling.

When we don’t know the cause, anxiety can seem to be there for no reason. But if you feel anxious and don’t know why, there probably is a reason floating in the background that needs to be addressed. Refer to the resources below and reach out to a licensed therapist for help. Whatever you do, don’t ignore anxiety. It’s your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Sources:

Psych Central. Feeling Anxious for No Reason? This Is for You. Opens in a new window Published August 8, 2022. Accessed December 20, 2022.

SimplyPsychology. Anxiety For No Reason - Simply Psychology. Opens in a new window Published March 25, 2022. Accessed December 20, 2022.

Anxietycentre.com. Why Do I Have Anxiety Symptoms When I'm Not Feeling Anxious? Opens in a new window Published September 22, 2022. Accessed December 20, 2022.

Verywellhealth. 10 Breathing Exercises for Anxiety Relief. Opens in a new window Published June 16, 2022. Accessed December 22, 2022.

Last updated: March 01, 2024

By: © PAS Wellbeing Media, LLC. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.