Anxiety disorders can be divided into two groups based on their triggers: The first group is phobias. Here, the fears relate directly to an object or a situation. The second group consists of diffuse or unspecific fears, such as panic disorder. In this case, the anxiety disorders are not caused by a specific trigger, but occur unexpectedly.

• Panic disorder: Sudden and unforeseen attacks of anxiety in the form of panic attacks
• Agoraphobia: Fear of places/situations, such as large crowds; they often occur together with panic disorder
• Specific phobias: Fears of certain things or situations, e.g. fear of flying, fear of heights
• Social phobia: Fear and severe insecurity in contact with other people
• Generalized anxiety disorder: Constant, worrying thoughts and persistent fears that revolve around one’s own future, for example.

• Cardiological problems such as palpitations
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Difficulty breathing, feeling of anxiety
• Drowsiness, fear of dying
• Feeling of helplessness
• Feeling that you are not in control of your own thoughts and body

In addition to the symptoms mentioned, there is often a strong avoidance and/or safety behavior. This means that those affected avoid fear-inducing situations or, in the case of agoraphobia, for example, only go to fear-inducing places with another person. This can lead to severe restrictions in all areas of life.

Anxiety disorders arise from a complex interplay of various factors. Research has identified various aspects that have biological, genetic or social origins, for example. For example, upbringing can also be involved in the development of anxiety. Therapeutic views represent different perspectives on the development of pathological anxiety. Behavioral therapy, for example, assumes that these fears are the result of certain learning experiences. Psychodynamic explanations attribute the development of anxiety disorders to earlier conflicts or traumatization.