Neurofeedback therapy for anxiety is a promising form of treating anxiety disorders. According to Neurofeedback Therapy for Anxiety Disorders, a person’s biological and behavioral responses are studied as they experience fears, stresses and anxiety. The brain wave activities are measured and analyzed while the patient experiences these and other uncomfortable feelings. Biofeedback technicians then can help identify how these brain waves can be reduced or stimulated in order to help the patient.
Neurofeedback therapy for anxiety is a clinical form of biofeedback that was developed by B.R. Jung. It uses a patient’s biofeedback to determine which brain wave activities may be activating an anxiety disorder. When such activities are discovered, biofeedback technicians can then help the patient to stop such behaviors by helping them to alter their brain wave activities through the biofeedback system.
The biofeedback system was developed in the late 1970s by B.R. Jung and is used today to treat many disorders including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, epilepsy, pain and stress, muscle tension and migraine headaches. Neurofeedback Therapy for Anxiety disorders utilizes brain wave biofeedback technology to monitor brain activity during an anxiety attack. The biofeedback technicians will find out what level of brain wave activity is normal for the patient and what level of brain wave activity is elevated when experiencing the symptoms of an anxiety attack. Then, the normal brain wave activity can be altered so the patient can relieve or reduce his or her symptoms.
There are two types of biofeedback therapy for anxiety; sensorineural and evoked response neurofeedback. In sensorineural neurofeedback therapy, a device such as a probe is used to measure brain activity. The probe is attached to the head of the patient and a machine measures brain responses from the head in real time. This is often more effective than EEG biofeedback since it is easier to explain to patients, and they do not need to be familiar with how brain waves work to understand how it works when confronted with anxiety.
Evoked response neurofeedback therapy is a type of biofeedback that does not require the use of a probe to measure brain wave activity. The patient plays a computer game that requires eye contact, as well as responding to visual cues like flashing lights or audio sounds. When the patient is focused on the game and paying attention, brain wave activity is measured and adjusted by the neurofeedback technician. Once the desired brain wave activity is achieved, the patient receives a signal from the neurofeedback therapist. The signal shows that the patient has successfully controlled brain wave activity during the game.
Using neurofeedback to treat anxiety disorders is more effective if the patient uses the biofeedback equipment while he or she is in the state of relaxation. This allows the neurofeedback technicians to get a better read on brain wave patterns during a patient’s deep relaxation. During this state of relaxation, the patient’s brain does not have to filter outside stimuli, such as stress, to adjust its internal mechanisms. When a biofeedback therapist continuously provides cues to the patient during relaxation, the person can learn to control brain wave activities more effectively.
Neurofeedback therapy for anxiety is relatively new. Many scientists are excited about the potential benefits that it holds for patients suffering from chronic disorders, like anxiety. Many of them believe that it could be very helpful in treating a number of anxiety conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and syndromes related to schizophrenia. It is not clear yet whether neurofeedback therapy will work best for conditions related to alcohol withdrawal or sleep deprivation. However, more research is certainly on the horizon.
If you think you have an anxiety disorder or you’re looking for ways to treat your own symptoms, consider neurofeedback therapy. Clinical studies have shown that it could very well help you. It has also been used successfully with a variety of different anxiety disorders, including panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and other mood disorders. You may want to schedule an initial consultation with your local provider to find out if neurofeedback therapy for anxiety is right for you.
