Do You Have the Jitters? Surprising Things That Could Be Causing Anxiety

By Dr. Sanam Hafeez

Anxiety is a mental illness that disrupts daily life, causing feelings of impending doom along with unwanted thoughts and unpleasant physical symptoms. Some people are more predisposed to anxiety than others. Did you know that there are “external” factors and habits in our daily lives that can increase anxiety? Here are some surprising things that could be causing anxiety. You may see several on this list that are causing jitters in your own life.

1. Cigarettes 

Often, people who smoke tend to rely on cigarettes to ease their anxiety. However, nicotine found in cigarettes affects your brain, including your mood. Nicotine also ramps up blood pressure and heart rate, two physical symptoms that can mirror anxiety. In addition, the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke may cause breathing problems that the body responds to as if it’s suffocating, increasing the likelihood of panic attacks. The relief a smoker feels is temporary and will likely return and cause an even greater risk of anxiety symptoms. Studies have found that those who quit smoking for more than two weeks had lower anxiety levels than when they were smoking regularly.

2. Caffeine

The jitters, shakes, and irregular heart rhythm one might get after a dose of caffeine can feel an awful lot like a panic attack, especially if you are already susceptible. That’s because caffeine stimulates your “fight or flight” response, tricking the body into feeling like it’s being chased by a tiger even when there is no danger present. If caffeine makes you anxious, switch to decaf coffee and do not drink energy drinks such as Red Bull that are loaded with caffeine. Be wary of PMS medications like Midol which contain a hefty dose of caffeine as an active ingredient.

3. Medications

Some medicines such as Anacin, Empirin, Excedrin, No-Doz, and cough medicines contain caffeine. Decongestants, such as phenylephrine, including Sudafed PE can bring on symptoms of anxiety or panic. Some ADHD medications also list anxiety or nervousness as a possible side effect. These medications include Adderall, Ritalin, and Straterra to name a few. Some birth control pills can contribute to feelings of emotional disturbance including depression and anxiety. Asthma medications can cause symptoms of anxiety for some patients. The National Institute of Health reports that the use of bronchodilators can lead to feelings of anxiety and nervousness. If you are prone to anxiety, make your doctor aware of this to be sure that both OTC meds and prescriptions will not exacerbate your symptoms.

4. Alcohol

Anxiety and alcohol use are often connected. People often drink to relax and reduce anxiety, and in some instances, chronic alcohol abuse can lead to anxiety. With both alcohol use and anxiety being so prevalent in the US, it’s no surprise that the two are often linked. Drinking alcohol can influence the brain chemistry and change the levels of serotonin. Alcohol can affect your mood and decrease the “feel good” chemical in your brain, increasing feelings of anxiety and depression. Long-term heavy drinkers may be exposed to a higher risk of anxiety.

5. Hormonal Activity

Hormones are the messengers to the brain and when your body is under stress due to internal factors such as the menstrual cycle, this can lead to mood changes and irritability. Adrenal issues — imbalances in the body’s stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, and the precursor hormone DHEA — can cause a variety of symptoms that seem to be mental health-related, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Cortisol aka “the stress hormone” can have a powerful effect on your brain, and anything that increases cortisol production or decreases cortisol reduction (such as a lack of exercise) can cause anxiety. Other hormones such as estrogen, testosterone and thyroid can all affect anxiety. If you feel hormones may be the culprit of your anxiety, consult your internist who can do a full blood workup.

6. Skipping Meals

Skipping meals can affect your brain, which can lead to a drop in serotonin levels, creating symptoms of anxiety. This can cause mood swings, stress, fatigue and unsteady blood sugar levels. As a result, one might experience shakiness, dizziness, confusion, and difficulty speaking. Prevent these blood sugar swings by eating frequent small meals and keeping snacks on hand.

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz. Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com