Anxiety is a basic feeling and has been deeply anchored in humans since a time beyond the reach of memory. It triggers an alarm reaction in us that expresses itself through pronounced physical symptoms. Fear has a protective function, it saves us in dangerous situations - often on an unconscious level. In some people, however, fear can take on an excessive dimension, in many cases in connection with traumatic life events or unfortunate fear-enhancing behaviours. We then speak of an anxiety disorder or anxiety illness. Besides depression, these pathologically increased, unrealistic and multifaceted fears are among the most common mental illnesses.
These symptoms and discomforts may indicate an anxiety disorder:
Anxiety without a realistic threat
Occurrence of physical symptoms: headache, visual problems/dizziness, sudden pain in the region of the heart, heart pounding, heart stuttering, sweating (may include night sweats/nocturnal sweating), tremors, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea.
Occurrence of psychological symptoms: Nervousness, irritability, restlessness, chronic fatigue.
Unusual anxiety in duration, intensity and frequency
Tension, worry and concern about everyday events and problems.
An untreated anxiety disorder can become increasingly self-perpetuating, resulting in:
"fear of fear" (fear of the expectation)
Social withdrawal, avoiding triggering places and situations.
Feeling of being at the mercy of others
Difficulty falling asleep and sleeping through the night
Dependence, particularly on alcohol or medication (sleeping pills)
Loss of control
Problems in the partnership or family as well as in the professional life
Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Centre in Hanover
We take care of your worries and problems. You can rely on our many years of experience and the use of the latest therapeutic methods and technologies.
