Anxiety in some form or another affects millions of Americans on a daily basis. There are different ways to treat anxiety. Medication is the most common way. There is also exercise, meditation and neurofeedback therapy.
What is Neurofeedback Therapy?
Neurofeedback therapy is a way in which the activity of the brain in the form of brain waves is monitored and reported to the individual receiving the treatment. The person receiving the therapy is trying to improve certain aspects of their personality by changing brain patterns. It can also be a way of improving certain brain function disorders like depression and anxiety.
Neurofeedback therapy is also known as EEG Biofeedback. Let’s say the person being treated has a problem with anxiety. The person will essentially be watching a display that is very similar to how a computer game looks. The administrator of the therapy watches the brain activity on a monitor. This information is then reported to the one undergoing the therapy.
If the brain wave activity is not desirable, the person receiving the therapy will make an attempt to change these brain patterns. For example, in the case of anxiety, the person will concentrate on changing the brainwave activity to ones that indicate a more relaxed state of mind. So, the process goes on and on over multiple sessions until the person begins to understand how to manage their anxiety levels by constant feedback from the administrator of the therapy.
Why It Works
Neurofeedback is not a cure for any mental ailment including depression, ADD or hyperactivity. Rather, it’s a way to get the patient to change brain patterns to more desirable ones through feedback and practice.
In the case of anxiety, if a person begins to understand the thought patterns their brains have that cause anxiety and depression, they can begin to slowly practice changing these brainwave patterns and improve their anxiety levels in the long-run. Neurofeedback therapy works because it is founded on brainwave pattern principles that have been proven and established by the psychiatric and medical professions for decades.
Some patients of neurofeedback therapy at Knox Wellness have managed to reduce their anxiety levels to such a degree they have been able to come off of their anti-anxiety medications. If you have anxiety, contact us today to schedule a consultation about neurofeedback therapy for anxiety at our office in Knoxville.
