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.