30 causes of anxiety ‘for no reason’ and what to do about it

Why you’re nervous, tensed, stressed, on edge or anxious for ‘no reason’

Do you suffer from waves of anxiety – often for what seems no reason at all?
Do you suddenly worry about anything and everything?
Does logic not even seem to come into it?
Are you feeling on edge all of a sudden or even all of the time?

You might worry that, behind your back, people call you weak or strange, but I certainly don’t – quite the opposite.

I’m so glad you’ve landed here to discover why you suffer from those waves of anxiety for no reason. I’ll also give you some effective self-help strategies.

Just in case you’re not familiar with what anxiety entails, I’ll cover that now. If you already know too well, scroll on.

What is anxiety?

Let’s start with the basics. What does anxiety mean?

Here are some words to describe it: apprehension, fear, dread, trepidation, nervousness, butterflies in your stomach.

There are three anxiety disorders: panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder.

Just in case you have panic disorder, be sure to read my article on how to stop panic attacks in their tracks. You’ll know what to do then when you’re hit by another wave of anxiety for no reason.

Feeling anxious for no reason?

The positives of being a worrier

Yes, there are positives. Fortunately, you’re likely to be the one that spots real danger, where others merely wander without thought.

You’ll be the one to offer practical refinements to an impromptu and vague idea or plan. There’s nothing wrong with dreamers and action junkies – it’s just that they need someone like you to balance the team!

And to be honest, I’d rather have a worrier as a dentist or an accountant – they’d think twice before pulling out a tooth or giving some dodgy advice!

Let’s get to the bottom of why you’re feeling anxious for no reason.

Why are you anxious?

Before we can help you overcome that constant dread, trepidation and nervousness, we need to know how and when it started. Then you can be clear about how best you can help yourself.

Have you always suffered?
Did it appear (seemingly) out of the blue?
Did it start after some kind of trauma?
Has it built up over time, and you’re now chronically anxious for no reason?
Does it come on in waves?

It makes a big difference whether or not the onset of your anxiety has started suddenly, perhaps after a particular (traumatic?) incident.

Is it in your genes?

If anxiety appears to run in the family, it may be that your genetic inheritance – that biological lottery – has set you up for some vulnerability to stress and anxiety.

That does not necessarily mean your genes are the cause of your problem. The story is far more complicated than that. After all, not every timid, shy and anxious child develops into a fearful adult with anxiety problems.

Lifestyle factors play a role, for example. Your personal development and the evolution of that anxiety also depend on:

• How safe (mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically) your environment was when you grew up.
• To what extent essential emotional needs were met (see below).
• Whether or not your parents were overprotective.
• Whether or not your parents or carers were particularly anxious.
• Whether or not you were motivated to become more resilient and deal with, rather than avoid, feared situations – at home, with friends and at school

These experiences shaped your reactions and general attitude towards stressful situations and life events.

But ultimately, yes, your genes (link opens in a new tab) could indeed play a big part in your anxiety.

29 additional causes of anxiety and what helps

14 causes of anxiety for no reason possibly benefitting psychological help

1. Childhood adversity, incl. trauma
   What helps: first of all – realise that you matter! You are unique, there’s no one in the world like you. You have been born with unique gifts. The past need not define your future, you have already started your self-healing journey. Don’t stop! You may find counselling or therapy beneficial.
2. Post-traumatic stress
   What to do: see my articles on how to cope with PTSD.
3. A sudden and severe loss
   Whether it was the loss of a loved one, your job, your status, your financial security, etc – this most of all needs reassurance and time to grieve; you’re not anxious for ‘no reason’.
4. A general accumulation of stress 
   What to do: this requires you to manage the symptoms and make some important decisions. Lifestyle changes and dealing with relationship stress will also help.
5. Abusive relationship
   If you have an abusive spouse or partner, it’s natural for you to feel anxious all the time – even if they are ‘just’ verbally abusive.
6. Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS).
   PICS may include PTSD.
   What helps is to treat that PTSD and anxiety the same as mentioned before.
7. Post-Intensive Care Syndrom-Family (PICS-F)
   A loved one has spent time in intensive care. As a result of that traumatic experience, you now also now suffer from anxiety and possibly even PTSD.
   What helps is to treat your anxiety symptoms the same as mentioned before. See also: how to cope with PTSD
8. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
   Read my article on OCD.
9. Imposter Syndrome **
   The solution: get on top of your tendency for perfectionism and deal with any low self-esteem!
10. Menopause
    The solution: lifestyle adjustments and support to help you ride out the storm. For further information, see my article on 11 ways to survive the menopause. To help your partner or spouse support you, see how to help your spouse through the menopause.
11. Premenstrual Syndrome – see Medical News Today about the impact of premenstrual symptoms (opens in a new tab).
12. ADD or ADHD
    The solution – well… part-solution: do whatever you can to create a routine, to create space and order, and reduce distractions and triggers. Sleep and exercise.
13. Aspergers Syndrome – Autism
    What to do: if you suspect that you’re on the spectrum, you’ll need a diagnosis. Start by taking this test.
14. Gender dysphoria (GD)
    What to do about it: see if you can get a referral to a specialist clinic. It’ll be such a relief for you to talk to professionals who understand.
15. Maternal stress during pregnancy
    Your mother went through a stressful time when you were still in the womb.
    What might help is talking to mum, if possible, to hear her story and treat your anxiety as mentioned before.

Potential causes of anxiety for no reason benefitting from medical support

1. A  general (poor?) state of health
   The solution: help from your doctor and a good dose of self-help. Your bowels may be leaking toxins that pass the blood-brain barrier and cause irritation. In addition, inflammation is linked with anxiety.
2. Nutritional deficiencies
   The solution: you guessed it – a better diet. Ditch the fast-food stuff, for starters. It’s also possible your body isn’t absorbing nutrients even if you have a great diet. Deficiencies can also be caused by the contraceptive pill (Vit B12) and other prescribed medication.
3. Blood sugar instability
   The solution: stop eating sugar and sugary foods. Explore Dr Kelly Brogan’s website for further information. A change in your diet can help you feel better very quickly if this indeed is the problem.
4. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)*
   What to do: read up on the condition before you talk to your doctor to see if medication might be suitable for you. Consider making lifestyle changes to optimise your overall health and well-being.
5. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
   The solution: read up on the condition to get fully informed. Talk to your doctor about medication. Consider making lifestyle changes to optimise your overall health and well-being.
6. Medication – acid blockers and the contraceptive pill*** in particular and, would you believe it – anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication (see my article: 19 natural ways to deal with depression).
   The solution: do your own research, then discuss with your doctor how you can make some positive changes to benefit your health.
7. Gluten intolerance
   The solution: do your own research and connect with a (medical) practitioner – doctor or nutritionist – who’s well-versed in functional medicine.
8. Other allergies or intolerances
   The solution: clean up your diet, for starters. Get Dr Kelly Brogan’s book: a Mind of Your Own for a comprehensive way to sort your diet once and for all.
9. Menopause
   The solution: lifestyle adjustments and support to help you ride out the storm. For further information, see my article on 11 ways to survive the menopause. To help your partner or spouse support you, see how to help your spouse through the menopause.
10. Heart disease
    What to do: a medical checkup. See: My ‘anxiety’ was actually a rare heart condition (opens in a new tab).
11. Pyroluria
    This is a genetic condition, though there appears to be no clear evidence (opens in a new tab).
12. Covid
    What to do: depending on where in the world you reside, you may be able to get a referral to a specialist covid clinic.
13. Thyroid disorder
14. Digestive track disorder
15. Lack of physical exercise
    What to do: exercise, even daily fast walks can help you release that build-up of stress.

People with the lowest combined aerobic and muscular fitness had 98% higher odds of depression, 60% higher odds of anxiety, and 81% higher odds of having either one of the common mental health disorders, compared to those with high levels of overall fitness.

PsyPost: Longitudinal study finds lack of physical fitness is linked to heightened risk of mental disorders

For all of the above issues, you’ll benefit from – and feel tons better for – following the advice on dealing with the immediate symptoms you’ll find further down the page.

Effective 3-step anxiety disorder self-help plan

7 self-help strategies to set yourself up for success

Before we start with the actual strategies:

1. Start with a medical check-up to see if you need to be treated for a condition other than your anxiety (and if you do, be sure to check Dr Mercola’s website to inform yourself fully).
2. Know that if anxiety runs in the family, you don’t have to continue to suffer from it – we now know that we can turn genes on and off, depending on our own actions.
3. Accept that you need to employ a series of strategies consistently and patiently to get the best and most reliable long-term results. See my article on the best problem-solving strategies.
4. Devise a detailed plan on how you’ll tackle the anxiety based on all the information on my site and professional advice.
5. Be open and honest with your partner if you haven’t already told them how you truly feel (more on that later). Alternatively, ensure you get support from a good friend if you suspect your partner is going to be less than helpful.
6. Share the following list with your loved ones (they need to know that I’m taking you seriously).
7. Seek professional help – if you can. You can now connect with a professional, licensed therapist online! For further information, click here for my page about anxiety counselling.

3-step plan to beat that sudden anxiety for no reason

Step 1 – Dealing with the symptoms quickly and effectively

The best way to reduce the symptoms of anxiety quickly is to calm yourself with the aid of a hypnosis audio download. You can listen to the soothing voice of a professional hypnotherapist in the comfort of your own home.

Best of all, each time you listen, you not only reduce the symptoms right away, but you build on its success bringing you one step closer to recovery.

At the same time, challenge yourself to continue to take steps out of your comfort zone in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Step 2 – Dealing with the causes

Again, this may involve a visit to a doctor. But then…

• Do all you can to put an end to old hurts. Talk it out with the people who may have hurt you. Forgive, even if you can’t forget.
  If that’s not possible, do at least talk it over with someone you trust. In my article on getting the best relationship advice, I explain how to know if you can really trust someone to keep your confidences.
• Take whatever action is necessary to get over a traumatic experience.
• Stop making excuses for yourself. Remember – courage is your middle name!
• Stop blaming others for your ‘issues’ – you’ll forever remain dependent on their actions and not your own. To a greater or lesser extent, all of us have ‘issues’. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s time to take your life into your own hands and get back in the driving seat.
• Put that creativity you employed to dream up all kinds of disasters to more productive use – in your mind and in reality: draw, sew, design, paint, write, or do whatever works for you. When you’re busy creating, there’s no space for worrying. Use your imagination to daydream about how easy everything is – in detail, using all of your senses.
• Change your diet – it’s one of the most important changes you can make.
• Talk to a professional – it’s so much easier today because of the ready availability of professional therapists online. You can chat not only about your anxiety, but anything at all that’s bothering you.
• Use self-hypnosis to overcome your anxiety and deal with underlying issues. See Self-hypnosis FAQ and downloads.

Step 3 – Help your partner to help you

I have written several articles specifically to help partners or spouses offer the right support to their other halves:

• How to help your partner or spouse beat anxiety
• How to help your spouse overcome depression
• Helping your spouse recover from a mental breakdown

Finally

I hope you can now figure out the cause of your (sudden) anxiety for ‘no reason’.

You now also have access to a ton of resources to help you tackle the problem. You’ve already taken the first step towards making positive changes simply by getting this far!

Overcoming your anxiety for good will take some work, but the payoff is sooo worth it. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you’ll get to where you want to be.

Remember, you already are super courageous! Know that you’re far stronger and more resilient than you probably give yourself credit for. You’ve got this!