Public education
Anxiety - Emotion or disorder? What anxiety is, and what can be done about it
Brandenburg an der Havel, 5 December 2025
Anxiety is one of the most basic human emotions and even a primary instinct. But at which point does it become psychologically stressful? Simon Alexander Stiehl (10th-semester student of Medicine) and Anna-Maria Rudolf (4th-semester student of Clinical Psychology) of the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) addressed this question with an interdisciplinary specialist lecture to the Caritas association in Brandenburg an der Havel. The two speakers explored the topic of anxiety from a medical and a psychological perspective and had valuable insights and practical suggestions for their audience.
Topic affects a large number of people
Anxiety disorders are among the most frequent mental illnesses worldwide – in Germany alone, about 15 to 20 percent of the general population are affected at some point in the course of life. But what exactly is the difference between everyday fear that protects us from danger and pathological anxiety? These and further questions were in the focus of the lecture given on the premises of the Caritas advisory office in Brandenburg an der Havel as a cooperation project with Patientenuniversität Brandenburg.
According to Simon Alexander Stiehl, the idea was not only to offer scientific facts and theoretical concepts in readily understandable terms but to provide concrete guidance how to handle anxiety. He and Anna-Maria Rudolf presented a wide range of pertinent topics: from definitions of fear and anxiety disorders, their clinical symptoms and manifestations, pathogenic mechanisms and mental as well as somatic comorbidities up to treatment approaches with and without drugs. The aspect of psychoeducation was in the center of the face-to-face discussion.
Science meets practice
The two speakers combined medical and psychological perspectives in addressing anxiety issues. Simon Stiehl started with an exploration of medical basics, including pathophysiology and pharmacological therapy options. Anna-Maria Rudolf added psychological viewpoints such as explanatory approaches from learning theory, development-induced causes, formats of psychotherapy intervention and guided breathing and relaxation exercises which reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress. One participant from a self-aid group called this combination of theory and practical exercises extremely helpful.
Significant contribution to education
The Caritas association in Brandenburg an der Havel gave thanks for the event, the offered mixture of sound knowledge and practical advice, and the valuable stimuli for their work with persons affected by anxiety.
At the MHB, the successful event is seen as further proof that it is important to communicate scientific findings to the wider society in a comprehensible form. In this way, so Anna-Maria Rudolf, affected people can profit from theoretical knowledge which MHB students acquire at the university for their future professional activities. She is convinced that the lecture was not the last step in this direction.
The local Caritas advisory office plans to intensify cooperation projects with students of medicine and psychology, specifically in support of self-aid groups in the field of “mental health”. Simon Stiehl and Anna-Maria Rudolf intend to motivate fellow students of their respective disciplines to follow their example.
Moreover, their project highlighted the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration between students of medicine and psychology. The conclusion to be drawn from their lecture: Anxiety is a complex phenomenon – but expert knowledge and appropriate strategies help to cope better with its effects.