Q Why does anxiety disorder develop? Is it my personality, or is it an illness?
A Anxiety disorder is not a matter of willpower or personality. It is a neurological condition caused by dysregulation of serotonin and GABA and an overactive amygdala.
Detailed Answer
The main causes of anxiety disorder are overactivation of the amygdala, reduced regulatory function of the prefrontal cortex, and an imbalance of the neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA. Genetic factors account for 30-50%, and childhood trauma, chronic stress, and thyroid disease can trigger onset. While it may appear more common in people who are sensitive or meticulous, this reflects how anxiety vulnerability influences temperament, not a fault of personality.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, a Heart-deficiency (simheo) constitution with weak prenatal qi (seoncheonji-gi) is considered linked to a predisposition toward anxiety. When overwork, lack of sleep, and excessive rumination (saryeo) are added, Heart-blood (simhyeol) is depleted and the Heart-spirit (simsin) loses its stability. At Dongjedang, we diagnose both constitution and organ status together to address both the prenatal predisposition and the postnatal triggering factors.
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