Phobias and general anxiety, often combined with depression

Isolated phobias

The classic example of this type of anxiety is a phobia of spiders. The typical patient does not suffer from any particular problems, only when this person is confronted with a spider a massive, uncontrollable fear or panic reaction occurs. Other examples are fear of heights, fear of wide open or small, tight spaces, such as an elevator. Many other fears are described in literature. In therapeutic practice, however, it rarely happens that someone only has this one problem. Often there is a general disposition towards fear and anxiety. In difficult living conditions and during stressful events, the special symptoms become apparent. Experience has shown that difficult partnerships, overstraining work/child education and a lack of a social network are factors that play a role in the formation of an isolated phobia. The most frequent topics are fears in connection with public appearance (e.g. public speaking), fear of exams, general self insecurity and fears of travelling (especially fear of flying). In many cases, behavioral therapy is the method of choice. These disorders are generally easy to treat. They have a good prognosis with an average severity.

General anxiety

This mostly concerns anxiety disorders in which various fears occur alternately or together, for example fear of public appearance combined with anxiety revolving around exams, general self-insecurity and contact disorders.

Here, too, the causes are often complex and aspects of the patient's personal history as well as the circumstances of the current lifestyle play a role. Here, as in therapy in general, a change in the condition of the affected person can only be expected if the concrete circumstances of his/her lifestyle have changed in such a way that an uninvolved third party can recognize that something has changed. It is therefore not enough to change certain thoughts and beliefs. The change in thinking must also lead to a change in behaviour that can be recognised from the outside.

Combined anxiety and depression

Depressive symptoms almost always occur in the course of an anxiety disorder. Depressive symptoms mean: a feeling of low mood and discouragement, lack of drive, the feeling that everything is pointless, powerlessness, excessive exhaustion and increased need for sleep, but also problems falling asleep and sleeping through the night.

Phases of anxiety may alternate with phases of depression, possibly in short intervals. Depression always means a blockage of impulses for action. Often it is anger that is blocked. Women in particular need to express these blocked off feelings such as insult and anger adequately. Nevertheless, these feelings seem to be hidden. They finally find their expression in a neurotically distorted, often self-destructive and negative way. Such conflicts are almost always related to conflicts in the partnership and/or with one's own parents.

Here, as in therapy in general, a change in the condition of the affected person can only be expected if the concrete circumstances of his lifestyle have changed in such a way. An uninvolved third party should be able to recognize that something has changed. It is therefore not enough to change certain thoughts and beliefs. The changed way of thinking should lead to a change in behaviour that can be recognised from the outside.