Biofeedback & Neurofeedback in York

Biofeedback & Neurofeedback for Anxiety

Anxiety affects us both mentally and physically. A holistic approach needs to address both the underlying physiological basis, and the thinking (cognitive) and behavioural patterns that maintain anxiety.

How Biofeedback Can Help Anxiety

Biofeedback measures bodily responses associated with anxiety, and by feeding back the information via computer, helps you

• become aware of how you are responding to stress
• learn to create the physiological conditions that support more positive mental states - for example optimal breathing and Heart Rate Coherence.

Because biofeedback is based on learning skills, it is safe and benefits are lasting.

Neurofeedback is biofeedback that works directly with brain states, and is effectve for persistent and deep-rooted anxiety.

A comprehensive solution to anxiety addresses causal factors at all levels of mind and body.

Nutritional Therapy for Anxiety

Several underlying physiological patterns can create vulnerability to anxiety. Probably the most common is dysglycaemia, or poorly regulated blood sugar levels. Dietary advice and use of supplements can help correct such imbalances.

Mindfulness Based Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy aims to identify patterns in how you think, feel and act that create vulnerability to anxiety, and then create healthier patterns. Awareness is key. Mindfulness is a meditative method of developing awareness that combines beautifully with biofeedback.

Anxiety is a natural human emotion that affects how we feel, think and act. Symptoms of anxiety can be:

• Physical : pounding heart, tight chest, breathlessness or rapid breathing, muscle tension or shaking, nausea, dizziness, blushing, tight throat, cracked voice, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, aches and pains
• Mental : poor focus, racing thoughts, repetitive thoughts, seeing threats everywhere, imagining the worst happening.

Types of Anxiety

All the following can be helped by biofeedback and neurofeedback:

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder - persistent anxiety and worry.
• Phobia - intense anxiety associated with a specific object or situation, such as fear of flying.
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - anxiety associated with certain painful or traumatic events in the past, which continue to have effects in the present.
• Panic Attacks

Anxiety is very commonly experienced with other disorders, notably depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)