Private Clinic for Anxiety Disorders

Common symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Accelerated breathing, feeling of suffocation
• Helplessness
• Loss of control over one’s thoughts and body
• Trembling and excessive sweating

Approximately 9.8 million adults in Germany suffer from some form of anxiety disorder each year, varying in intensity. Different types of anxiety disorders are distinguished as follows:

• Social Phobia: Anxiety and avoidance behavior in social situations. Social phobias occur in situations where the affected person feels the center of attention.
• Specific Phobia: Persistent and inappropriate fear of certain animals, objects, or situations.
• Panic Disorders: When panic attacks occur repeatedly, suddenly, and seemingly without reason, this is classified as a panic disorder.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Constant anxiety and worry in almost all areas of life. Those affected experience intense fear, worry, and tension—or a feeling of impending doom—for at least six months.
• Agoraphobia: Fear of specific situations or places (e.g., large crowds), often associated with panic attacks.

An anxiety disorder can arise due to various factors, including:

• Genetic Factors: Anxiety disorders may occur in multiple family members. A genetic predisposition does not mean that the disorder will necessarily develop.
• Environmental Factors: Negative environmental influences can promote the development of anxiety disorders. These include abuse and neglect, experiences of violence, traumatic events, separations, financial problems, deaths, and chronic illnesses.
• Neurobiological Factors: Biochemical processes in the brain influence our emotions. In anxiety disorders, the balance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, noradrenaline, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is likely disturbed.
• Learning Experiences: Failures and negative learning experiences can contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety.