14.04.2025 Christin Müller 9785

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: "A life without fear is possible"

Anxiety is omnipresent - but does it also have to rule our lives? In this interview, Prof. Dr. Dietrich Grönemeyer explains what we can do to be courageous, healthy and calm through uncertain times - and why the soul needs just as much attention as the back, because in the end the two correspond to each other.

"It is crucial to treat both the body and
the soul."

What motivated you to deal with the topic of "living without fear"?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: I have been working intensively in the treatment of back disorders as a doctor and radiologist for almost 40 years. The people who come to me are often plagued by anxiety and are under maximum stress in their everyday lives, which has a direct impact on their backs. This stress leads to hardened muscles and tension. 

The negative experiences or feelings we carry within us, triggered by stress or fears, for example, are often enough reflected in a hunched posture. That's why it's so important to become aware of your own feelings, such as fears, and actively transform negative ones into positive ones. That is my approach. Interestingly, only three percent of all back pain is caused by the intervertebral disc, while 80 percent is due to muscle tension, which is strongly linked to anxiety and stress.

When I recognized these connections, I realized that local treatment is only one side of the coin. The other side is the person themselves - their fears, their stress and the emotional difficulties that lead to inner tension. It is crucial to treat and talk about both the body and the soul. 

So I started writing about back pain, and now I write about a full life - a life that is characterized by enthusiasm and in which we can be grateful for the gift of life without fear.

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer in conversation with pme editor Christin Müller.

What can happen if fears are not treated?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: The effects are manifold and can lead to mental illnesses such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks or depression. The stress hormones that are released during anxiety promote inflammation, which in turn increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition, this emotional stress can also manifest itself in physical complaints such as back pain, headaches or abdominal pain. There are many interactions. For example, people with back pain often suffer from depression, anxiety or sleep disorders.

How does an anxiety disorder manifest itself and how does it differ from healthy anxiety?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: Anxiety disorders are a challenge that is difficult to get under control. They overwhelm you, cause you to wake up at night and rob you of sleep, which puts you in a vicious circle. In such cases, psychological or psychiatric treatment is often necessary. People who suffer from burnout, are depressed and, in the worst cases, suicidal, find themselves in dramatic situations. 

There are also post-traumatic disorders that occur after traumatic experiences such as war, rape or abuse. These severe experiences absolutely require the therapeutic support of doctors, psychologists or psychiatrists to help those affected to deal with their experiences and find healing.

However, there are also everyday fears, such as the fear of flying, spiders or colleagues or the boss at work. Worries about children, the threat of losing your job and similar issues can also be extremely stressful. However, it is important to make a clear distinction here.

According to a recent study by the RKI, 13.1 percent of adults and more and more adolescents are suffering from noticeable anxiety symptoms. What could be the reasons for this in today's world?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: The pandemic has clearly shown how serious people's fears are: the fear of corona, of serious illness, of death and even of vaccination. Unfortunately, these fears have often not been sufficiently addressed. I can well understand this, because as a child I was a total chicken when it came to injections - I often ran away or even fainted. 

Nevertheless, I am an advocate of vaccination, because vaccinations against influenza or tetanus, for example, can often prevent hospitalization and serious treatment. I'd rather not have to go to the doctor all the time if I can help prevent illness through vaccinations. One impressive example is the smallpox vaccination, which has led to this disease being largely eradicated, even if there are still or again sporadic outbreaks in some remote regions of the world.

Young people in particular are currently very afraid of the future: of possible wars, the question of whether they themselves will have to go to war and of inflation. The fear of losing their own wealth is also very present and weighs heavily on them. A Dresden study has shown that only 13 percent of young people are willing to accept therapy offers. They seem to be more self-contained, which makes it difficult for us as doctors to get through to them and offer support.

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer talks openly about his fears and how he dealt with them.

And in view of the current concerns about war, climate change and similar challenges, how can we humans deal with these fears without panicking?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: I always say that times have always been challenging. As long as I can remember, there have always been dramatic situations that we have been confronted with - from the oil crisis, when the roads were impassable for days, to the threat of World War III during the Cuban Missile Crisis, to Chernobyl, Fukushima and the Balkan War, which took place very close to us. It was never easy.

Despite all this, I believe it is important to be courageous. We should take ourselves more in hand and enjoy life where it is enjoyable - with joy and laughter, even in difficult times. The good message behind this: A life without fear is possible.

I have the feeling that we are often too distanced from ourselves. When we read all kinds of news in the media, it is sometimes helpful to do a media detox or digital detox. This allows us to reconnect with ourselves and find out what really does us good, what gives us joy and strength. Whether it's a loved one, a partner, children or colleagues - even the smile of a stranger.

A smile is the shortest connection between two people, regardless of whether they speak the same language or not. These open eyes and the opportunity to experience life are a huge gift.

But does it always make sense to distract yourself with nice thoughts in scary situations?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: It makes fundamental sense to treat yourself, other people and the environment with courage and love. 

The basic attitude should be: love yourself, then you can also practice love for your neighbor. However, there are situations in which we cannot get out of a vicious mental circle.

For example, if I have a fear of heights or a fear of spiders or mice, confronting these fears often helps. However, it is usually difficult to deal with this alone - I need support here. If I have been through difficult situations, then professional help is needed. I remember my own experiences: After a fall from a height of ten meters in the mountains, where I thought my life was over, I nevertheless felt an inner peace and security and thought, "If it doesn't go on right away, then that's the way it is". I realized that I can live without fear. I still live with this attitude today.

Every flight I had to take after that was a challenge for me. Although I used to be an avid flyer and worked scientifically on all continents, every swing suddenly caused me immense panic. But I faced up to this fear and now fly again with enthusiasm. In other words, I confronted it myself because there was no way out for me.

To what extent can the intensive use of TikTok and the like increase people's feelings of anxiety?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: Social media is not fundamentally bad, it can also provide valuable information. However, how we deal with it is crucial. There is an old saying by Paracelsus: "The dose makes the poison". This applies particularly to our use of digital media. In times of crisis, many people are constantly online to follow the latest news. 

However, this behavior, which we know as doomscrolling, can be harmful. Our brains are programmed to be particularly aware of danger, which leads us to focus more on negative news. This constant confrontation can significantly increase our anxiety and make us feel like we are living in a constant threat.

How can we use fear as a valuable tool instead of letting it paralyze us?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: Fear is a basic emotion that serves as a warning system. It can shake us up and motivate us if we see it as an opportunity to change. Instead of going into fight or flight mode, we should ask ourselves: "What am I actually afraid of?" and understand the causes of our fears. 

If we face up to this emotion, we can become capable of action and use fear to actively shape our lives. It is crucial that we learn not to see fear as an enemy, but as a part of our lives that points out to us that change is necessary.

Many people are afraid of losing their job, being overworked or no longer being able to keep up. What advice would you give these people?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: It's important to openly address what's on your mind. I see myself as a campaigner for an appreciative work culture. For me, appreciation means expressing to others that I value the work and the person. This applies both in medicine, where respectful interaction at eye level between doctor and patient is crucial, and in the working environment between coworkers, superiors and employees.

This principle is very helpful for me. If I feel that I can address my problems - whether it's that I'm in the wrong job, have different skills or don't feel praised enough - then it encourages open communication. It's frustrating when I feel like I'm being treated wrongly because I'm only being criticized instead of working on a problem together.

I don't just dream about this appreciative culture; I live it as an entrepreneur who has managed 250 people in his company for decades. It is important to me to be there for others, to have an open heart and an open ear and to find solutions together when there are difficulties. This also includes opening up yourself and being willing to talk to each other.

What tip do you have for people to stay mentally healthy at work in the long term?

Prof. Dietrich Grönemeyer: The famous work-life balance is actually a valuable approach: it is important to recharge your batteries not only in your private life. Work is work, but it should also be enjoyable. Sometimes you have to hold on through gritted teeth, but it's crucial to find out what needs to change.

In my private life, this means enjoying my family and cultivating friendships. At the same time, it is important to learn to say "no" and to formulate my own interests in such a way that others understand what is good for me. Just as I respect the needs of others, I should also stand up for myself.

For me, there is no strict separation between work and private life; rather, both areas should be integratively connected. Nevertheless, it is important to set clear boundaries. I make it a point to create a separation from my cell phone and computer. It's crucial to consciously take time to switch off and focus on the essentials. I make time for good books, enjoy the company of other people, listen to music, go to the theater or cinema - all the things that we often neglect in this day and age, but which are really important.

When you travel to other countries, such as Spain or Greece, you quickly realize how valuable life is outside of everyday life. Drinking a coffee or tea together, laughing and enjoying a meal - unfortunately, we lose sight of all this too quickly in this country. 

But it's time to recapture this zest for life and live it consciously. And not to forget: Smile and stand up straight, even if you don't feel like it. An upright posture has a positive effect on your inner state and boosts your self-esteem. Anyone can take advantage of these positive interactions.

The new book: "Life without fear" (link opens in a new window) by Prof. Dr. Dietrich Grönemeyer.