Overview

• Psychotherapist Mathias Heinicke reports a growing prevalence of war-related anxiety among Germans, linked to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
• Proximity to the Ukraine conflict in Europe intensifies fears, with geographic closeness playing a critical role in anxiety levels.
• Unfiltered images of destruction and violence, widely shared on social media, exacerbate psychological distress and feelings of insecurity.
• Symptoms of war anxiety include panic attacks, headaches, heart rhythm disturbances, and heightened irritability, according to experts.
• Healthcare professionals recommend filtering media consumption and setting personal boundaries to mitigate the psychological impact of distressing content.