The Roots of Your Worry

Worry can prove useful, it can be motivational, forcing you to get work done and it can even prepare you for potentially dangerous situations. However, experiencing excessive worry over prolonged periods of time can be unpleasant and overwhelming. It might also negatively impact your relationships, your work or other areas.

Although there is no conclusive evidence that links excessive worry to one specific reason, research studies have narrowed down a few causes that could be linked to excessive worrying.

Past experiences or current circumstances

Sometimes, a traumatic past or a troubled childhood could contribute to experiencing excessive worry. Even experiencing a particularly stressful event or a number of them in succession or at the same time, can contribute to your worry. Examples of these could be conflict with loved ones, workplace, or financial stress.

Biological causes

There is some research to indicate that excessive worrying can be genetic. Studies show that there is a higher chance that you might experience it if someone in your family has also suffered from the same thing.

Associated concerns

Excessive worry can be caused due to other conditions like depression or panic attacks. It may also be linked to substance abuse, for example, alcohol or drug abuse.

Thought patterns

Sometimes, the way you think could be causing you to worry. For example, you might tend to imagine outcomes to turn out much worse than they might actually turn out to be. You might also be constantly preparing yourself for the worst-case scenario. This might put your body under undue stress and be potentially harmful.

Evolutionary reasons

Evolutionary psychologists suggest that worrying could exist because of the positive benefits it has for people. Worrying triggers a response in your body that prepares you to deal with difficult situations. For example, when you’re in distress or feeling stressed, your body releases adrenaline making you feel energetic and prepared to deal with the event.