National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health | www.cancer.gov

NCI Home
Cancer Topics
Clinical Trials
Cancer Statistics
Research & Funding
News
About NCI
Anxiety Disorder (PDQ®)
Patient Version   Health Professional Version   En español   Last Modified: 04/22/2009
Possible Causes of Anxiety*

Medical Problem   Examples 
*Adapted from Massie.[5]
Poorly controlled pain Insufficient or as-needed pain medications.
Abnormal metabolic states Hypoxia, pulmonary embolus, sepsis, delirium, hypoglycemia, bleeding coronary occlusion, or heart failure.
Hormone-secreting tumors Pheochromocytoma, thyroid adenoma or carcinoma, parathyroid adenoma, corticotropin-producing tumors, and insulinoma.
Anxiety-producing drugs Corticosteroids, neuroleptics used as antiemetics, thyroxine, bronchodilators, beta-adrenergic stimulants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines (paradoxical reactions are often seen in older persons).
Anxiety-producing conditions Substance withdrawal (from alcohol, opioids, or sedative-hypnotics).

References

  1. Massie MJ: Anxiety, panic, and phobias. In: Holland JC, Rowland JH, eds.: Handbook of Psychooncology: Psychological Care of the Patient With Cancer. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1989, pp 300-9. 


A Service of the National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health USA.gov