Biofeedback & Neurofeedback in York

Biofeedback for Panic Disorder

By measuring physiological changes associated with anxiety and panic and feeding this information back via computer, biofeedback helps you

• become aware of patterns that predispose you to panic attacks
• develop the mind-body skills to break out of the negative spiral that leads to panic.

Breathing Training with Biofeedback

Research suggests people with Panic Disorder are predisposed to over-breathe. Hyperventilation (over-breathing) can be detected with a device called a capnometer. Biofeedback training to optimise breathing can both reduce vulnerability and give you skills to respond effectively to early signs of panic. Read more about breathing biofeedback.

Panic and Heart Rate Coherence

Another aspect of panic is that imbalance in the body's Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) leads to extreme "fight or flight" responses. Heart Rate Coherence biofeedback aims to train a healthier balance in the ANS. Read more about Heart Rate Coherence.

A panic attack is a sudden and spiralling feeling of intense anxiety, usually with physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, chest pain, difficulty breating, nausea, dizziness, numbness or tingling, or feelings of unreality, accompanied by thoughts of losing control and impending catastrophe.

What Causes Panic Attacks?

Several factors may contribute to underlying vulnerability to panic:

• Poor nutrition leading to periods of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Sugar is the brain's exclusive source of energy.
• A hypersensitive Sympathetic Nervous System (associated with the "fight or flight" response).
• A predisposition to hyperventilation (see below).
• Psychological factors.

York Mind-Body Health's approach can address all these.

Panic and Hyperventilation

Anxiety tends to lead to over-breathing or hyperventilation. This paradoxically starves the brain of oxygen - emotions run out of control, and it becomes difficult to focus and think clearly. This can create a spiral: more you over-breathe, the worse the symptoms.

Panic Links

No More Panic : Support site for sufferers of Panic Disorder, phobias and more.