Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., affecting nearly one in five adults every year. However, if you’ve watched a parent or sibling struggle with it, you might wonder if it’s something you’re more likely to deal with too.
So, is anxiety hereditary? The short answer is yes, but it doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily develop it too. Let’s take a look at what the research has to say about heredity, genetics, and your environment, and how to better understand your own level of risk.
You might have heard hereditary and genetic being used interchangeably, but they don’t actually mean the same thing. Heredity is specifically about traits or conditions passed from parents to their children. A person might inherit a condition directly from a parent, or inherit the genes that increase their risk, regardless of whether that parent developed the condition themselves.
Genetics, on the other hand, is much broader. It includes all gene variations, including ones not inherited. Some genetic changes happen at conception. Others may develop later due to things like environment or trauma.
All hereditary traits are genetic, but not all genetic traits are hereditary.
Anxiety is a normal emotion that’s meant to keep us safe from threats, but it can turn into a disorder if it lasts long after a threat is gone. These symptoms can start to interfere with how you think, feel, and function in your day-to-day. There are different types of anxiety disorders, including:
While symptoms can vary depending on the type of anxiety, there’s still some common ones seen across the board:
It’s been established that anxiety can run in families, and while that may raise your chances of developing a disorder, it doesn’t mean you necessarily will. Research shows that first-degree relatives of people with anxiety disorders are more likely to develop anxiety themselves compared to those without a family history.
Additionally, twin studies estimate the heritability of anxiety to be between 30% and 50%, which suggests that genetics play a role, though not the only one. For example, children pick up on how parents react to stress. So, if a parent regularly panics in certain situations, the child may learn to respond the same way. This is learned behavior, and it can reinforce anxious responses.
Anxiety is polygenic, which means that multiple genes contribute to your overall risk. These genetic variations can affect how your brain processes fear and stress. Some of the ways genes may influence anxiety include:
Inherited personality traits like neuroticism can increase your emotional sensitivity, while traits like agreeableness may lower your risk.
Even without a genetic predisposition, your environment can still influence whether or not you develop anxiety. In some cases, stress from your surroundings can trigger changes in how your genes function, a process known as epigenetics.
This means that life experiences can actually switch genes on and off, which increases your vulnerability to anxiety. In other cases, genetic changes can happen after birth without being inherited and still raise the risk of developing a mental health condition. Environmental factors than can raise your risk of anxiety include:
Early life experiences can influence how genes are expressed. During development, chemical markers form on DNA that determine which genes are turned on or off. These changes explain why even genetically identical twins can grow up to have different personalities, emotional patterns, or mental health conditions.
Children exposed to toxic stress are more likely to experience anxiety later in life. The brain and body learn to operate in a constant state of threat, thus increasing the risk.
Anxiety can happen to anyone, but certain factors may increase your chances. Knowing what puts you at a higher risk can help you catch early signs before symptoms start to take over your life. You may be more at risk if:
Something to keep in mind is anxiety and depression are highly comorbid. One study found that over 40% of people with depression also had at least one anxiety disorder during the same year.
If you think you may be at risk, pay close attention to how you’re feeling and consider speaking to a mental health provider about your concerns.
While you can’t change your genes, you can change how they affect you. Just because anxiety is in your family doesn’t mean it’s out of your control. Some helpful prevention strategies include:
Whether your anxiety is inherited or learned, what matters is how it’s affecting your life. If it’s getting in the way of work, school, sleep, or relationships, it’s time to get support.
At Cura Behavioral Health, we offer evidence-based anxiety therapy and medication management in Los Angeles. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and find a treatment plan that works for you.
Understanding Anxiety Disorders – News in Health
Hereditary vs. Genetic: Relationship, Differences, and Examples – Verywell Health
How Genes Shape Personality Traits: New Links Are Discovered – Yale School of Medicine
Toxic stress, epigenetics and child development – Jornal de Pediatria
The Critical Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression – The American Journal of Psychiatry
Determining if TMS therapy suits your mental health journey should involve consultation with a qualified professional. At Cura Behavioral Health, we provide comprehensive assessments to help you make informed treatment decisions.
Don’t let a mental health condition hold you back any longer. Schedule a consultation with Cura Behavioral Health today. Our experienced team is ready to answer your questions and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
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Dr. Kevin Simonson, an esteemed Medical Director at Cura Behavioral Health, brings over 15 years of experience in psychiatry. A graduate from a top medical school, he specializes in the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety, employing a patient-centered approach. His dedication to evidence-based care and his commitment to advancing mental health practices have made him a respected figure in the field. Dr. Simonson’s leadership ensures the highest standard of care for the community at Cura Behavioral Health.
