What's the origin of these traits that perpetuate anxiety? Such traits as creativity and emotional sensitivity may well be part of the hereditary component of anxiety disorders. On the other hand, perfectionism and excessive need for approval or control most likely have their origin in early childhood experiences. There are various ways in which you can acquire such traits. If your parents have these traits, you may learn them directly by following their example. If your mother and father are high achievers, and demand perfection of themselves, you may internalize their values and have in a similar way. Alternatively, such traits may develop our of your response to the ways in which you were treated by one or both of your parents. If, for example, you were criticized or reprimanded, you may have decided early on that nothing you could do was good enough. As a result, you...