Is this heredity

[bcrfowler]

I suffer from aniexty most of my life.  I have aunts and cousins that seem to suffer the same.  Does this run in families?  Why?  Is a chromosome thing?  It seems it revolves around having a hard time sleeping for all of us.  My Grandma took sleeping pills most of her life and I'm afraid I'm headed in that direction.  Should there be a test to find out or is it mental?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The genetic part is the tone and sensitivity of the nervous system..your family seems to quite sensitive and responsive.  But within that cast, there is much you can do to manage this without taking pills. Some consultation with a good therapist may help or learning meditation and relaxation may be all you need.

[bcrfowler]

Thanks so much.  This does make sense.  I would love to be able to control this without taking pills.  Any suggestions as to what kind of meditation and/or relaxation examples.  It seems when I have the night time aniexty that I'm up off the bed before I wake up.  What kind of a therapist would you recommend?