What causes anxiety disorders? /What triggers anxiety? | What causes anxiety in the brain? / What is the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack? / What causes panic attacks?

Let's get real about the "why." You're asking about the causes of anxiety disorders, and this isn't about some random flaw. It's about a complex system that's been thrown out of balance. To understand what is happening, you have to look at both the internal wiring and the external stressors.

The biggest causes of anxiety disorders are a combination of a biological predisposition and a history of triggers.

To answer "What causes anxiety in the brain?", a part of your brain called the amygdala is often a key player.1 It's your brain's alarm system. When you have an anxiety disorder, this system can become hyperactive, leading to a hair-trigger fight-or-flight response. This is a central part of the biological causes of anxiety.2 But it's not the full story. The truth is, anxiety triggers can be a combination of things: It could be a history of chronic stress, a past trauma, or even a genetic predisposition. These are the anxiety disorder triggers that can prime your system for an overreaction. Understanding these anxiety triggers gives you the power to recognize the patterns and take ownership of your response. Acknowledge these anxiety disorder triggers for what they are: Useful information, not a life sentence. Now, let's confront the difference between a slow burn and an explosion. You asked about the distinction between an anxiety attack and a panic attack.

While they share some of the same anxiety attack symptoms,

their nature is fundamentally different.

An anxiety attack is a gradual buildup of stress, often tied to a specific trigger—like an upcoming deadline or a difficult conversation. It’s a slow, steady burn.

But a panic attack? That’s an explosion. To answer "What causes panic attacks?", sometimes there is no obvious external cause.

A panic attack is a sudden, intense misfire of your body's alarm system, leading to a powerful surge of terror and a feeling of imminent doom. While some of the anxiety attack symptoms are present, a panic attack is often marked by an abrupt, overwhelming onset.

The panic attack causes are often rooted in that hyperactive amygdala, which can go off without a clear threat. Recognizing this difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack is your key to not only understanding what's happening but also to beginning the journey of taking back control. The knowledge of these panic attack causes and the nature of an anxiety attack is the first step toward decisive action.