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You can recognize generalized fear:

  • worries that last for weeks, fearful expectations and fears or the never-ending feeling of impending disaster,

  • associated with feelings of restlessness, sleep disorders, cramps, and the inability to relax,

  • various physical complaints such as sweating, rapid heartbeat, stomach problems, nausea and dizziness for which no physical reasons (for example a thyroid disease) can be found.

Panic disorder you recognize:

  • sudden, unexpected attacks of anxiety for which no clear external cause and no organic explanation can be found (for example heart disease);
  • sudden, unexpected attacks of anxiety for which no clear external cause and no organic explanation can be found (for example heart disease);

  • recurring thoughts of dying, losing control, and having a heart attack.

Fears are called illness if they:

  • inappropriately intense and frequent,

  • last too long

  • are associated with a loss of control over their occurrence and duration,

  • cause us to avoid fearful situations,
  • Cause limitations in life,

  • cause severe suffering.

Ten rules for overcoming fear

  • Feelings of fear and the associated physical symptoms are increased stress reactions.

  • Anxiety reactions are not harmful to health.

  • Do not reinforce fear responses with frightening imaginations.

  • Remain in reality, observe and internally describe what is really going on around you.

  • Stay in the situation until the fear passes.

  • Watch the fear subside on its own.

  • Do not avoid fearful situations.

  • Expose yourself to any situation that scares you.

  • Take your time in fearful situations.

  • Be proud of small successes, even the very small ones.

What happens if I don’t do anything about fear?

The circle of fear and avoidance:

  • I’m slowly avoiding more and more things.

  • I’m slowly restricting myself more and more.

  • I feel increasingly helpless and at the mercy of myself.

  • My behavior increasingly affects partnership, work and leisure.

  • I get more anxious even more often; I then avoid even more.

  • I am becoming even more helpless.

  • I numb myself with tranquilizers and alcohol, and that can make me addicted.

  • I get sad (depressed) and despaired.