fear

fear is a basic human feeling. In threatening situations, this condition manifests itself with increased excitement and negative emotional sensations.

What is fear

Fear only becomes a problem when it assumes greater proportions and alarms the body when, objectively speaking, there is actually no danger at all, so that the quality of life of the person concerned is restricted.

Regardless of whether children, adults or seniors, everybody gets into situations that scare them. Even brave and particularly brave people cannot absolve themselves of this and that is a good thing.

Fear is important because it warns us of dangers, puts our body on alert and thus makes it ready to fight or to flee in order to ensure survival in the worst case.

Fear only becomes a problem when it assumes greater proportions and alarms the body when, objectively speaking, there is actually no danger at all, so that the quality of life of the person concerned is restricted.

causes

The fear is usually triggered by a threat to physical integrity, self-image or self-esteem. These differences relate to object-related fear (e.g. fear of a predator) or object-indefinite fear (e.g. fear of getting a heart attack).

The causes of fear are just as diverse as fear itself. In most cases, several factors play a role. People who suddenly develop fears in situations in which they were previously completely relaxed are generally in a difficult phase of life.

Stress, family problems or an unstable environment can all lead to fears. In addition, if you take a closer look, you can usually find triggers in the past. Bad or even traumatic experiences can lead to fears developing, which are sometimes only remotely related to what has actually been experienced, but which are linked to it in the subconscious.

Many people fear that they will go crazy or be considered abnormal in front of other people because of their fears, which are often perceived as irrational. Any form of fear is a normal reaction to certain experiences that one has had and only serves to protect the person concerned.

Despite this negative image of fear, through evolution, fear has become a useful tool for humans. The most important function is to sharpen the senses as a protective mechanism in dangerous situations. In this way, the body can react faster in the event of danger (e.g. escape) or act more consciously and faster in various behavioral moments. The fear can work unconsciously or consciously. However, if isolated fearful situations develop into a permanent state and paralysis or loss of control occur, one speaks of an anxiety disorder.

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Diseases with this symptom

• Coronary heart disease
• Heart attack
• Pulmonary embolism
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
• Left heart failure
• Angina pectoris

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Insect venom allergy
• Anxiety disorder
• Fear of heights
• claustrophobia
• Dental phobia

• Borderline syndrome
• Affective disorders
• Fear of flying (aviophobia)
• Agoraphobia
• Arachnophobia
• Social phobia (social phobia)

Symptoms & Signs

Although, in general, anxiety is itself considered a symptom, other physical symptoms are also typical signs of anxiety. Physical symptoms are not pathological and should ensure physical integrity (e.g. survival) in the event of danger. Simply put, fear is preparation for flight or combat situations.

• Strong attention, pupils enlarge, visual and auditory nerves become more sensitive
• Strong muscle tension, faster reaction speed
• Faster heart rate, increased blood pressure
• Faster and shallower breathing
• more energy supply in muscles
• Physical reactions (e.g. sweating, tremors, and dizziness)
• Bladder, bowel and stomach activity are all during the state of the fear inhibited.
• Nausea and shortness of breath sometimes occur
• Molecules released in sweat, which subconsciously trigger alertness in other people.

But fear is not only shown through physical characteristics. Facial expression and language towards others should also influence the social bond (e.g. ask for protection in case of danger).

Complications

Based on the assumption that the fear is physiologically justified and does not occur pathologically in a normally non-fear-inducing situation, it can be said that complications in connection with the fear only rarely occur. However, if the fear occurs as a symptom of an illness, for example as a symptom of a generalized anxiety disorder, complications can certainly arise.

Probably the most common complication that occurs with fear or in connection with fear is avoidance behavior. The fear-inducing situation is avoided because of the fear that arises. This can lead to restrictions in everyday life and for this reason stress the person concerned. This is especially the case when the fear is associated with everyday situations, e.g. B. occurs when driving a car. If the person concerned now develops avoidance behavior, they will no longer get into cars and are therefore enormously restricted in everyday life.

Furthermore, a fear that occurs can also "develop" to such an extent that a phobic disorder develops. If such a disorder develops, the very thought of the fear-inducing situation often leads to fear. If this cycle is not broken, it can sometimes even lead to a "fear of fear".

In general, however, it can be said that "anxiety" normally occurs naturally and is not pathological and is therefore unlikely to lead to complications.

When should you go to the doctor?

To a small extent, fear is perfectly normal. However, if anxiety states occur regularly or lead to severe suffering, a doctor's visit is useful. This is especially true when there is no rational reason for the fear and it cannot be controlled. The feeling does not have to be very pronounced: Constant discomfort that cannot be clearly assigned and persists over long periods of time must also be taken seriously.

Help is advisable at the latest when fear leads to restrictions. Such restrictions include, for example, the irrational avoidance of situations, places, objects, animals or people - but also the neglect of duties, recurring conflicts, social isolation or excessive withdrawal into one's own home. The development of other psychological or physical symptoms is also an indication that help is needed. Warnings include compulsions, depressed mood, changes in eating behavior and weight, cardiovascular symptoms, difficulty breathing, pain, and many others.

In the case of panic attacks in particular, it must be ruled out that symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations and tingling are not due to a physical cause. Otherwise there is a risk of overlooking an organic disease.

Even if panic attacks and anxiety are psychological, there are many advantages to seeking help early on. Affected people in Germany can also contact a psychological psychotherapist directly if they suspect that the fear has no physical cause.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Usually the fear does not need treatment as it is harmless to humans. The fear reactions, such as a fast pulse, subside shortly after a threatening situation.

If the fear becomes overpowering, the first route should of course be to the family doctor and then to a psychotherapist. The earlier the fear is treated, the better the first successes can be achieved. It is important that you do not try to suppress your fears with the help of drugs, but allow them and deal with them and their causes. Various forms of therapy, such as behavioral therapy or therapy based on depth psychology, can help make everyday life more bearable again.

Once the causes have been clarified, care should also be taken to ensure that there are no factors in the person's environment that increase the fear. A healthier lifestyle, regular rest breaks and sufficient exercise are also part of a successful treatment. For example, relaxation techniques such as autogenic training and regular jogging or walking can help reduce anxiety.

Home remedies ↵ for anxiety In the case of psychosmotic anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks or cardiac psychosis, topical treatment is advisable. Many patients with anxiety disorders also complain of pain, so self-treatment is not beneficial. Autogenic training can also help. In addition, the causes of the fear should be questioned and, if necessary, also examined in therapy.

Outlook & forecast

Although anxiety disorders and phobias can have many different triggers, exposure therapy is recommended for most patients. Especially with phobias that relate to very specific stimulus triggers, this is usually crowned with success. But it is important to proceed cautiously and not to risk worsening by overstraining.

A complete and permanent cure from anxiety cannot be guaranteed even with the best exposure therapy. People who are already susceptible to phobic disorders sometimes have to struggle with fears for their entire life despite therapy, and it is precisely then that it is important not to give in to fears and nip new emerging phobias in the bud. Others never have a relapse after successful completion of therapy and lead a life free of fear - apart from specific and rationally justifiable reasons.

For anxiety disorders that occur comorbidly as a result of other mental disorders or neurodiversity, such as autism or ADHD, treatment is far more complicated because the cause is different. Consequently, the prognosis is also much more difficult.

Some of these fear triggers can be self-treated, which then also takes away the fear. Especially when autism, which is innate and not "curable", and the problems associated with it are the trigger for the anxiety states, pure exposure therapy based on conditioning is not advisable in cases of doubt, as it is highly likely that autistic symptoms will last for a long time Can even worsen vision.

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➔ Medicines to calm down and strengthen nerves

prevention

Of course, there is no reliable protection against fear, in principle it can affect anyone. Nevertheless, there is a lot that can be done to reduce the risk. Those who take good care of themselves and take regular breaks despite work and stress are usually much more relaxed.

In addition, not only psychological, but also physical symptoms should be taken seriously, as mental problems often manifest themselves through physical illnesses if they are ignored.

People who identify their problems with themselves and who tend to remain secretive tend to have psychological complaints more often than open and talkative people who confide in someone with their problems and their fear.

Home remedies & herbs for anxiety

• Valerian, taken as drops, calms the heart and nerves and also helps with stroke.

You can do that yourself

Those affected can do something about their fear themselves. The first essential step is to increase your own feelings first. It can be seen to what extent the feelings of fear influence everyday life. Medical advice is needed to better control anxiety.

Various training programs can also help. Especially if you are afraid of flying or going to the dentist, relaxation techniques help to successfully overcome fear. It is advisable for those affected to take part in conflict counseling. Here interpersonal problems are revealed and solved. This is how it is possible to treat fears. Relaxation methods such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training and biofeedback can help against anxiety. The latter enables certain body functions to be perceived. These are deliberately influenced with the help of a device. This helps to loosen muscle tension.

Those affected should reduce stress. There are numerous methods for doing this. Stress management helps to classify everyday tasks and to cope with them safely. This reduces anxious continuous tension. Stress management is offered in numerous facilities such as health centers. In addition, those suffering from anxiety should lead a healthy lifestyle. This basically promotes the healing processes and improves the energy potential. Those affected should also exercise regularly and do sports in an appropriate manner. This is good for the blood circulation and strengthens the body functions. In the case of fears and depression, drive means a positive motor that stimulates the self-healing powers.