Can anxiety be genetic?

Post Reply New Topic

I saw a therapist a couple of times over the summer seeking an Asperger's diagnosis, and the one I saw told me in so many words that I seemed too normal to have AS, but seemed to have anxiety. She read off a list of about 5-10 questions (I don't remember) and I fit most of them. I stopped seeing her before she could treat me for anything, though, because I didn't feel like we were connecting at all. Like she was not really listening to my problems.

Anyway, ever since she told me that I have some anxiety, I've been REALLY self-conscious and extra-sensitive to any scenarios that have ever given me the slightest problems or hints of anxiety. Most of these fears are based on bad experiences due to Asperger's symptoms. They are not just imaginary or irrational fears.

She told me that my anxiety was probably genetic. I think she told me this to make my past seem less terrible? Maybe? Or because she thought I was otherwise "normal"? But by telling me that it's genetic, she actually just crushed my hope of ever conquering any of my anxieties. Because if I did nothing to cause them, then there's nothing I can do to fix them.

I'm just wondering, is this true? Can anxiety be genetic? I never thought this was possible before. I was hoping that since she didn't seem that good, maybe she was wrong about this?? I don't know why her words have so much influence over me--it's really quite stupid and annoying--but ever since she told me this, I've felt powerless in any scenario that gives me any anxiety.

I don't know where science stands on this. I can tell you that I suffer from anxiety, and that both my parents suffer from anxiety (my mother's anxiety is particularly bad). My older brother, however, does not suffer from anxiety. How's that for a non-answer?

I don't know about the validity of anxiety as a genetic trait, although anecdotally I can say my fathers family almost uniformly suffer from moderate to acute anxiety and so do I, but I want to challenge one thing you've put forward in your post. That just because something is genetic you cannot do anything to combat, or deal with it.

There's a strong genetic predisposition among people from the Indian subcontinent to suffer from diabetes and cardiovascular problems, but with the right lifestyle and of course luck a person can not suffer from those problems at all.

Genetics aren't a solid determiner for all things. So, yes they may increase the likelihood of you developing anxiety, autism, bipolar, heart disease, high cholesterol, etc, etc, but they can still be combated against.

Anxiety isn't like Huntington's disease for example where you have the genetics required therefore you will develop it and it will kill you. You do have power. Also, it wouldn't have been entirely your genetic predisposition that caused your anxiety.

I think anxiety disorders can be genetic or like FalsettoTesla mentioned people can have genetic predisposition. But anxiety can also be caused by environmental factors or be related to things like AS. Even if it is genetic; there are things you can do about it like learning coping techniques or learning what triggers your anxiety & how you can avoid it or work around it ect. You can also try medication too; I'm taking Buspar which is only used for anxiety & I haven't had any side-effects or problems. I would suggest trying to find a new therapist who you can connect with better & take things from there.