Waves of War Anxiety Revisiting Germany, 8 Decades Later
Anxiety Concerning Potential Conflict Rising in Germany (Therapist's Perspective) - Clinician Expresses Worry Regarding Potential Conflict in Germany
War apprehensions continue to gnaw at Germany's populace, even eight decades past World War II's finish. Mathias Heinicke, a psychotherapist and Federal Chairperson of the Association of Contract Psychotherapists, points to an alarming escalation in war anxiety among the general public.
Heinicke shared his insights with the German Press Agency: "The closer the conflict geographically, the more war anxiety intensifies." In his practice, he spots an increased number of patients grappling with war-related apprehensions and future worries, with the proximity of Ukraine playing a pivotal role.
Spatial proximity isn't the sole culprit. Conflict-associated news, heart-wrenching images, and social media also contribute substantially to war fears. Images of ravaged landscapes, shattered buildings, and hospitals under attack "pump up the anxiety levels," according to Heinicke.
The traditional methods of tuning out distressing reports—turning off the radio or TV—seem archaic in today's world. Our constant connectivity through smartphones means we're exposed to a barrage of new information, news, images, and videos—oftentimes unfiltered and raw, which can drastically exacerbate war-related fears on social media channels.
War anxiety engulfs individuals differently. Symptoms range from acute tension and restlessness to persistent worry and obsessive rumination, panic attacks, headaches, heart rhythm disorders, and heightened irritability.
Heinicke advises those feeling at risk of war anxiety to self-regulate their content consumption. "It's not necessary to watch everything that's theoretically possible," he advises, emphasizing the importance of setting personal boundaries or blocking unwanted content.
Insights:
- Geographical proximity plays a crucial role in amplifying war anxiety, with the Ukraine conflict particularly affecting Germany's populace.
- News, images, and social media heavily influence war-related fears.
- War anxiety manifests differently, with various psychological symptoms such as tension, worry, headaches, heart rhythm disorders, and irritability.
Coping Mechanisms:
- Seek professional help if required.
- Build a support network of friends, family, or support groups who can share experiences and feelings.
- Strike a balance between staying informed and limiting exposure to potentially distressing news.
- Employ relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga to cope with anxious feelings.
- Engage in regular physical activity to reduce stress and improve mood.
- Volunteer or participate in community activities to establish a sense of purpose and belonging.
For refugees and migrants, specialized coping strategies are essential:
- Interventions addressing perceived injustices play a crucial role in mental health support.
- Culturally sensitive mental health services are essential to remove barriers and promote accessibility for marginalized communities.
- The Community Policy should consider incorporating strategies to mitigate war-related anxiety, as it intensifies in proximity to conflict zones, with current concerns in Germany being closely linked to the Ukraine conflict.
- In light of the pervasive influence of news, images, and social media on war fears, the Employment Policy could include provisions for workplace mental health programs that offer resources for employees to manage their consumption of distressing content.
- The Health-and-Wellness sector could collaborate with mental health professionals to develop and disseminate information on proven coping mechanisms for war anxiety, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity, which may serve to address this issue on a more widespread scale.
