Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Hanover &
Throughout Germany
Help with anxiety, panic & inner restlessness
Do you suffer from constant tension, sudden panic attacks, or paralyzing worry? An anxiety disorder is a serious yet highly treatable condition. At our practice for psychiatry and psychotherapy in Hanover, we accompany you professionally, confidentially, and with modern therapeutic experience on your way back to a life free from anxiety.
What is an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is a natural reaction of the body to stress or danger. But when anxiety occurs without a clear trigger, becomes very intense, or persistently impairs daily life, an anxiety disorder may be present.
The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks anxiety disorders among the most common mental illnesses worldwide. In Germany, millions of people are affected — so you are not alone.
An anxiety disorder is not a sign of weakness — it arises from an interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. With the right treatment, anxiety disorders are highly treatable; many of those affected experience initial improvements after just a few sessions.
Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder: Recognising the Warning Signs
Body on High Alert
The body remains in a constant "fight-or-flight" mode. Typical physical signs: a racing heart and chest tightness (heart pounding up to the throat), shortness of breath or shallow breathing, muscle tension in the neck/jaw/back, as well as autonomic symptoms such as trembling, sweating, dizziness, and gastrointestinal complaints.
Racing Thoughts
Worries take on a life of their own and become almost impossible to stop: constant catastrophising with "what-if" thoughts, inner restlessness and a feeling of being constantly driven, difficulty concentrating in everyday life, as well as irritability and sleep disturbances caused by ongoing mental tension.
Anxiety at Night
Many patients report intensified anxiety at night: waking up in panic, relentless circling thoughts, and severe sleep problems — the night becomes a burden instead of a time for recovery. A classic warning sign that should be taken seriously.
Avoidance Behaviour
Those affected avoid situations, places, or people that trigger anxiety. What provides short-term relief reinforces anxiety in the long run and increasingly restricts life — a central mechanism that therapy specifically aims to break.
Anxiety Disorders in Detail: Understanding Forms & Symptoms
1. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
In generalised anxiety disorder, those affected suffer from persistent, hard-to-control worries across many areas of life — work, family, health, finances.
- Constant inner restlessness and tension
- Difficulty concentrating and irritability
- Muscle tension, sleep disturbances, rapid exhaustion
2. Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks
Recurring, sudden panic attacks usually peak within minutes and subside after 10–30 minutes — often accompanied by the feeling of losing control or dying.
- Racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness
- Sweating, trembling, nausea, numbness
- Strong fear of experiencing another attack (“fear of fear”)
3. Social Phobia
Social phobia is a pronounced fear of being judged by others. Those affected fear embarrassing themselves, standing out negatively, or failing to meet expectations.
- Fear of giving presentations, small talk, phone calls, or eating in public
- Blushing, sweating, trembling voice in social situations
- Avoidance of social occasions — up to isolation
4. Specific Phobias
Specific phobias are intense fears of clearly defined objects or situations — such as heights, spiders, dogs, injections, blood, or air travel.
- Even the thought of the trigger object provokes anxiety
- Strong avoidance behaviour shapes everyday life
- Highly treatable — usually with exposure therapy
5. Agoraphobia
In agoraphobia, the fear of situations from which escape seems difficult takes centre stage — public transport, large open spaces, crowds, department stores, or leaving the house alone.
- Often combined with panic disorder
- Avoidance behaviour can severely restrict life
- Gradual exposure in therapy often helps
6. Racing Heart & Anxiety — Is That Dangerous?
A racing heart is one of the most common symptoms of anxiety disorders. It can feel very threatening but is harmless and stress-related in most cases.
- For recurring complaints, we recommend a cardiological evaluation
- If everything is organically fine, psychotherapy provides lasting help
- Breathing techniques and relaxation exercises ease acute symptoms
7. Persistent Inner Restlessness & Compulsive Rumination
This state describes the feeling of never truly being able to “switch off” inwardly. Mind and body remain in a state of constant alertness.
- Compulsive rumination: Those affected suffer from uncontrollable thought loops. Thinking often revolves around the same worries or problems for hours, without leading to a solution. It is like a “thought carousel” that cannot be stopped.
- Inner restlessness: This often manifests as physical restlessness, nervousness, or a constant feeling of tension (as if “wired”). Even during periods of rest, the feeling persists that something important must be done at any moment, or that something terrible could happen.
- Consequences: In the long term, this leads to massive problems falling and staying asleep, as well as chronic mental exhaustion, since the brain no longer finds phases of regeneration.
Panic Attack or Heart Problem — How Do You Tell the Difference?
A common worry: “Is this a panic attack or a heart attack?” The symptoms can seem very similar at first glance — but there are important differences that help distinguish the two conditions.
💡 Reading tip: Learn more about the subtle differences: Panic attack or heart attack — how do you tell them apart?
Causes and Triggers of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders usually arise from an interplay of various factors. Accurate diagnostics help to identify individual causes and tailor treatment precisely.
Biological Factors
Genetic predisposition and changes in brain metabolism (especially in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA) increase susceptibility to anxiety disorders.
Psychological and Social Factors
Chronic stress, stressful life events, traumatic experiences, as well as learned patterns of thinking and behaviour can trigger or maintain an anxiety disorder.
Self-Help in Daily Life: How to Support Yourself
Proven Strategies Against Anxiety
In addition to professional treatment, you can do a great deal yourself to relieve your anxiety symptoms. These everyday-friendly strategies strengthen your resilience and help you better cope with acute states of anxiety.
- Regular exercise: Sport and walking have been shown to reduce anxiety.
- Breathing techniques: Conscious, slow breathing calms the nervous system in acute situations.
- Relaxation exercises: Progressive muscle relaxation and meditation lower baseline tension.
- Structured daily routine: Fixed sleep and meal times provide stability and security.
- Reduce stimulants: Less caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol — they can intensify anxiety.
- Mindfulness & breaks: Conscious small breaks during the day prevent overload.
Diagnosis and Treatment in Our Practice
The good news: anxiety disorders are highly treatable. At our practice, we begin with careful diagnostics to precisely classify the form and severity of your anxiety disorder. On this basis, we develop an individual treatment plan together with you — in person in Hanover or conveniently via video consultation.
💬 The Initial Consultation
💊 CBT & Medication-Based Therapy
🎥 Video Consultation
💬 The Initial Consultation
Where do you stand right now?
We take time for a thorough medical history in order to determine the form of your anxiety disorder and to rule out physical causes. Together we develop a treatment plan that fits your life.
💊 CBT & Medication-Based Therapy
Psychotherapy and specialist medical care
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered one of the most effective methods for anxiety disorders. It helps you to recognise anxiety-provoking thoughts, develop new patterns of behaviour, and gradually overcome fears. If needed, we complement this with modern medication-based support — well tolerated and always individually adjusted.
🎥 Video Consultation
Therapy from home — throughout Germany
Psychiatric counselling and therapy conveniently from home — secure, discreet, and without long waiting times. Our online consultation makes professional help possible regardless of your location. Especially for anxiety disorders that make leaving the house difficult, the video consultation is often the ideal entry point into therapy. More about video consultations →
🎥 Learn more about video consultations
Secure · Discreet · Available from anywhere
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Disorders
Answers to the most common questions about anxiety disorders, diagnosis, and treatment.
Can an anxiety disorder go away on its own?
In some cases, symptoms improve temporarily. Without treatment, however, anxiety disorders often persist or intensify — especially due to avoidance behaviour. Early therapy prevents the condition from becoming chronic.
Does health insurance cover the therapy?
Yes. In Germany, the costs of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders are usually covered by statutory health insurance, provided that a corresponding diagnosis is in place. Private health insurers also typically reimburse the treatment.
How long does treatment for an anxiety disorder take?
The duration is individually different. First improvements are often possible after just a few sessions. Short-term therapy usually comprises 12–24 sessions, while long-term therapy can include 60 or more sessions depending on severity — spread over several months to years.
When should I seek professional help?
You should seek help when anxiety restricts your daily life, panic attacks recur, or you feel persistently burdened. An early conversation often brings clarity and relief — and the sooner therapy begins, the better the outlook.
Seek Professional Help
If you recognise yourself in the symptoms described, please don’t hesitate. The first step is the bravest — we will accompany you on your way back to a life free from anxiety confidentially, competently, and with empathy.