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Is Anxiety Hereditery?

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Posted on Mon, 16 Feb 2015
Question: Is Anxiety hereditery? Both my mom and dad has anxiety. I also have anxiety. Many of my friends are so relaxed and enjoying the life. I am worrying. Is there a genetic link with anxiety?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Cause of anxiety is multifactorial

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

Your both parents have anxiety and you also have anxiety. One cant predict genes of anxiety and the causes of anxiety are multifactorial.

If both parents are suffering from anxiety then there would be slightly increased risk of having anxiety in your case. The inheritance is determined by multiple genes and there is no definite gene for anxiety. So having both parents with anxiety increase risk in your case but it doesn't mean that you will definitely have anxiety. So no need to fear, probably your anxiety is due to familial and environmental factor.

Anxiety is a learned behaviour and learning during childhood, and psychological development determines risk in future. Familial factors, environmental factors have more impact in anxiety as compared to genetic factors.

Some anxiety disorders especially OCD have more genetic risk, but non specific anxiety is not much associated with genetic.

I hope you understand the cause of anxiety, still have some unresolved questions please ask again in follow up.

Thanks, take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 minutes later)
As a child, my dad used to constantly pressurize me with studies. He used to compare me with others. I always gave more importance to studies. After high school he didnt intervene and I was good. But during college I started fearing exams and became very anxious. Eventhough I am finally settled, I still get very anxious. Do you thing my fathers pressuriIng me when I was a kid, auto rewired my brain to fear when it comes to education? My father is a very good person but he gave me a tough time when I was a kid. He used to hit on my head everytime I fail to answer a question and restricted me to play and study more.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes pressure during childhood for studies is one of reasons of your anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Over protective and harsh parenting is one of important factors that is responsible for development of anxiety in future. The repeated pressurising for studies is probably the reason for your anxiety during exams. Due to related pressures a child learn exams or studies as anxiety provoking stimulus because the constant pressure (unconditional stimulus) along with studies get paired with anxiety symptoms. This is one of main factor that is responsible for your present anxiety, though more details about school years are needed to be evaluated.

Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Is Anxiety Hereditery?

Brief Answer: Cause of anxiety is multifactorial Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries Your both parents have anxiety and you also have anxiety. One cant predict genes of anxiety and the causes of anxiety are multifactorial. If both parents are suffering from anxiety then there would be slightly increased risk of having anxiety in your case. The inheritance is determined by multiple genes and there is no definite gene for anxiety. So having both parents with anxiety increase risk in your case but it doesn't mean that you will definitely have anxiety. So no need to fear, probably your anxiety is due to familial and environmental factor. Anxiety is a learned behaviour and learning during childhood, and psychological development determines risk in future. Familial factors, environmental factors have more impact in anxiety as compared to genetic factors. Some anxiety disorders especially OCD have more genetic risk, but non specific anxiety is not much associated with genetic. I hope you understand the cause of anxiety, still have some unresolved questions please ask again in follow up. Thanks, take care