Treating Anxiety
Anxiety management with Neurofeedback training.
Managing and Treating Anxiety
Generalised Anxiety is excessive worry about a number of issues or activities, for anxiety to be considered a disorder it would have to be present for most days over at least a six months period. Anxiety is associated with various other symptoms that could include:
- Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless or disturbed sleep)
- Restlessness or feeling keyed up
- Being easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Rumination
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
Calm and Regulate
Anxiety can involve panic attacks, but not always and the severity can also vary, regardless of how severe it is a debilitating disorder that impacts on a person’s ability to function in their environment. Anxiety is often present with a variety of disorders such as ADHD, Autism, Depression and others.
Neurofeedback therapy is able to directly access the arousal networks in the brain to calm and regulate an aroused nervous system. Research indicates that anxiety can most often be improved with targeted neurofeedback interventions (Hammond, 2005). In this way, neurofeedback compliments traditional psychotherapy in the management and treatment of anxiety disorders.
Case Study 1:
A 9 year old girl diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and mild depression. Her anxiety was significantly impacting on her academic and social functioning. She was too anxious to participate in any social or sporting activities and her school performance was impacted by high levels of performance anxiety. After 11 sessions of neurofeedback training, her anxiety was significantly reduced and social functioning was greatly improved. This young girl was then able to engage in sports, speak in front of her peers at school and began to engage socially. In addition her mood stabilised and depression lifted. (personal case study)
Case Study 2:
A 31 year old female with chronic anxiety, while always being a nervous person the chronic state began two years earlier during her last pregnancy. This was followed by panic attacks that were focused on eating only certain foods. There was a family history of anxiety related disorders. Assessment identified chronic panic attacks, anxiety, phobic conditions and depression, these symptoms were impacting on her job, marriage and family life. Previous treatments consisted of psychopharmacological interventions with no significant relief of symptoms. There were several interventions that included psychotherapy and a range of other therapies over a period of 12 years, with limited results. After 15 sessions of neurofeedback training, the anxiety was at a manageable level and there were no further panic attacks. Follow up assessments at 12 months and three years showed all scales were in the normal ranges and were maintained over that period of time. At the last follow up she reported that all was well in her marriage, family and in her employment. (Thomas & Sattlberger, 2008).
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Please feel free to call for a friendly chat about your current situation and learn how we can help.
We offer a private one on one consultation service at our practice located in Rockhampton, Central Queensland.
Brainwaves
Psychology & Neurotherapy Services
15 Norman Street,
Rockhampton, Queensland 4700