What is Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry or fear.

Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety and panic attacks (panic disorder), are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 18 percent of the adult population and 25 percent adolescents. Anxiety disorders are often associated with restlessness, sleeplessness, depression, constant worry or intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, racing thoughts, headaches or other physical issues like stomachs aches or chest pain. Each person experiences anxiety differently and thus, different modalities work for different people. At Mind Rx, we offer several non-medication treatments and assessments to pinpoint the right treatment option for your anxiety. 

Neurofeedback is a technique that aims to train individuals to regulate their brain activity for various purposes, including managing anxiety. It is a non-invasive procedure that provides real-time information about brainwave patterns and teaches individuals how to self-regulate their brain function.

During a typical neurofeedback session, electrodes are placed on the individual’s scalp to measure brainwave activity. This information is then processed and presented in the form of visual or auditory feedback, such as a video game or a sound that changes based on the individual’s brainwave patterns. The individual is encouraged to modify their brain activity to achieve the desired feedback, which is often associated with calmness or relaxation.

The primary goal of neurofeedback for anxiety is to help individuals recognize and modify their brainwave patterns associated with anxiety. By providing feedback on these patterns, neurofeedback allows individuals to learn self-regulation techniques to achieve a more balanced and relaxed state of mind.