Researchers have indeed identified a
genetic component in anxiety disorders. We know this through twin studies,
which provide an important key to the role of genetics. When twins—who share
the same genes—are raised separately in adoptive families, the similarities
that develop are likely to be genetic. So if one twin develops an anxiety
disorder, we record whether the other twin also gets one.
It appears that there is about a 25% chance
that twins raised apart will both have an anxiety disorder. In order for this
chance to be significant, it needs to be higher than the average stranger's
chance of developing an anxiety disorder, and this figure is. Findings show
that about 10% of the general population will have an anxiety disorder at some
time in their lives. So, the twin studies provide some evidence of a genetic
component.
However, if the whole cause of
anxiety were genes, then twins raised separately would both develop anxiety
disorders 100% of the time. Obviously, genes are not the only factor involved.
It seems that anxiety disorders are
caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) is a good example. The trauma is the experience that
triggers the anxiety, but genetic factors may help explain why only certain
individuals exposed to similar traumatic events develop full-blown PTSD.
For some people, a life-threatening
experience may lead certain brain cells to communicate differently with
neighbor cells, and an illness may ensue. In contrast, other individuals may
not be as biologically susceptible to the emotional impact of a
life-threatening event and may recover more easily.
Source: The Anxiety Answer Book by: Laurie A. Helgoe, PhD, Laura R. Wilhelm, PhD, Martin J. Kommor, MD.
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