There are many forms of Anxiety ranging from specific Phobias to Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Numbers suffering from the debilitating disease has skyrocketed due to the high demands and stresses of modern society, and more recently as a consequence of Isolation and fear from COVID. For those not opting for Psychological or Pharmacological interventions, medication-free Neurofeedback is a perfect solution.

Advances in Technology and dependence on iPhones have largely caused people to loose touch with their surroundings, and the younger generations are finding social situations and human interaction can make them very anxious. Additional factors contributing to increases in Anxiety levels include growing pressure to achieve or succeed, and expectations from social media, which are often self driven. Living in an unsettled household, or simply being in a challenging financial predicament can lead to a constant state of fear and worry. Due to the diversity of potential stressors, it is not surprising that Generalized Anxiety Disorder is becoming so prevalent.

The neurological mechanism affected in Anxiety involves fear related circuitry, especially in the limbic region. The Amygdala, traditionally functioning as a danger/threat detector, was needed for survival by inducing the Fight or Flight response. The body’s energy resources gear up with Adrenaline to flee, heart rate rises and some bodily systems such as digestion, shut down to conserve energy.

In todays world, merely a worried thought, pressure or stress can be perceived as a threat, and can trigger a response, giving rise to the symptoms of Anxiety. Micro-stressors can be very frequent, especially in high stress environments. They essentially accumulate and cause the neural mechanism to be disturbed ie. hyper sensitive. Over time, lesser amounts of stress are enough to set the body into panic mode.

How QEEG and Neurofeedback can help

A personalized Neurofeedback (NF) program can be devised after QEEG results are compared to commonly seen patterns in Anxiety. Over-active fear circuitry and elevated fast wave activity cause the negative symptoms of Anxiety. Through repetition and reward, the swLORETA training software discourages the deviant stress response. Neuroplasticity (rewiring within the brain) occurs after a number of sessions and enables the preferred calm pattern to gradually overpower the anxious pattern, for a positive outcome.

The high adrenaline stress response which once drained the brain and body of energy resources, is now replaced by a balanced state, where energy is freed up to be used elsewhere. When this happens and Neurochemicals in the brain return to more normal levels, exhaustion and Fatigue usually experienced by chronic Anxiety sufferers, tends to dissipate. Gut related issues can also improve because the fight or flight response Is not continually engaged. The digestive system can then reactivate and perform as it should.

Note :NDIS approved participants may be eligible for capacity building funding - please confirm with NDIS coordinator prior to booking.