I think all medical/mental conditions/symptoms are coping mechanisms of one sort or another (with the obvious exception of broken bones, etc.), sometimes to point out where there's a more serious problem and other times to help cope or distract from something else in our lives at that time. Too, there's a lot of genetic predispositions and traits that can be inherited, etc. I was a bit shy and "sweet" as a toddler, not quite anxious but with those tendencies and then my mother died. Just a little anxiety provoking to a 3 year old :-) I can see being 4 and being moved from all you know and having your parents start fighting all the time making you feel things were out of control and you trying to get them back in control. Yes, a doctor or therapist can probably be lots of comfort/help at this point.