The benefits of neurofeedback treatment in cases of anxiety

Advantages and benefits of neurofeedback treatment in cases of anxiety (BC Neuroscenter)

The problems generated by an excess of anxiety are complex phenomena with an important psychological facet: it is in this aspect of anxiety that we find aspects such as intrusive thoughts and obsessions, catastrophic predictions, psychological rumination caused by attempts not to think about something etc.

But beyond this, the fact of being very anxious also has a physiological aspect based on automatic neurobiological processes, which in principle are automatic and unconscious. Now, there are therapeutic resources that allow us to question the latter, such as neurofeedback. Let's take a look at what neurofeedback is all about and how it is used for people who are experiencing too much anxiety .

What is neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a technique that allows us to monitor the brain activity of a person and make them aware of the processes that take place in their system, with the aim of making it easier for them to later modify and through training the psychological processes that may be causing cases of excessive anxiety or stress.

It is a type of biofeedback , that is, a technology that allows us to collect live data on the activity of the organism, with which we can read in situ which brain impulses are responsible for altered states or relaxed states of awareness.

In short, neurofeedback is based on making the person aware of what type of electrical impulses generated by the brain are most beneficial and generate pleasurable states, as well as training these types of electrical stimuli daily until they are produced automatically.

What uses does neurofeedback have?

The practice of neurofeedback has become popular in recent decades to treat all kinds of psychological disorders in people with ADHD, stress, hyperactivity, insomnia, depression, chronic fatigue or chronic pain .

In recent years, medical science has found more and more uses of neurofeedback that allow us to train the brain to learn certain skills or aptitudes, and its use is becoming more widespread in the field of sport and business.

In addition to that, neurofeedback has proven to be highly effective in reducing and controlling cases of anxiety, as well as improving cognitive processes such as attention, memory or creativity.

The benefits of neurofeedback treatment in cases of anxiety

Below we present a summary of the most important advantages and benefits offered by neurofeedback treatment in the treatment of anxiety.

1. Train the regulation of brain waves

Although each person experiences anxiety in a different way, the majority of those affected by this alteration usually present a greater activity of beta brain waves, those responsible for generating states of anxiety, stress, excessive activation or agitation.

The study with the neurofeedback technique allows to determine which waves are activated in excess and which are presented in a deficient way, and consequently programs a training plan so that the person learns to activate the positive waves associated with calm and tranquility and separate those that are more negative.

As has been indicated, this training allows to reduce the stress levels in the person and with time allows him to automate all the trained processes in his day to day.

2. Promotes emotional management

Neurofeedback allows us to be aware of the unconscious processes that take place in our brain and that allows us to overcome our anxiety problems, as well as any other psychological or emotional disturbance.

This technique also helps us to know ourselves better and to be aware at all times how our brain works and what electromagnetic impulses are causing each of our emotions and feelings.

This training helps us learn to manage our feelings and act consciously to act when necessary and change those brain processes that are generating states of anxiety, stress or anguish.

3. Decreases pharmacological dependence

Being a non-invasive technique, neurofeedback allows us to rely less on the consumption of drugs of all kinds to treat anxiety.

By using neurofeedback with a qualified professional, we will learn to reduce our daily anxiety levels and integrate useful strategies into our daily lives to manage our emotions, without using any specific drug for anxiety or any other type.

4. Improves the management of cognitive processes

Neurofeedback has become popular in recent years due to its great advantages when it comes to optimizing a wide variety of cognitive processes that can help us get the most out of our brain.

Some of the cognitive processes that the neurofeedback technique improves are attention, memory, planning and creativity , which is why the practice of this technique is beneficial for almost any job or job in the sector.

5. Improve sleep quality

The practice of neurofeedback allows us to have a calm brain and achieve states of emotional balance and well-being that allow us to naturally and efficiently carry out any activity, both day and night, and sleep is one of the most important. Once the anxiety problems have been overcome, the ability to fall asleep is much greater .

Training our brain to correct its functioning allows us to achieve brain activity that is conducive to falling asleep, in which those brain waves that help us rest at night and have a restful sleep, avoiding anxiety, are correctly activated.