Neurofeedback Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Austin, Texas

A Medication-Free Approach to Anxiety

Anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide, yet many struggle to find lasting relief through traditional approaches alone. At North Austin Neurofeedback, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in clients who have discovered the power of neurofeedback therapy for managing disordered anxiety symptoms. 

This medication-free approach works directly with your brain's natural ability to regulate itself, offering hope for those seeking alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions or looking to enhance their existing treatment plans.

What is anxiety, and when does it become disordered? 

Anxiety is the brain's alarm system designed to keep individuals safe from perceived threats. From an evolutionary perspective, anxiety served our ancestors well, triggering the fight-or-flight response when they faced genuine dangers, such as predators or natural disasters. However, in our modern world, this same system is hijacked by less tangible stressors, such as financial, emotional, or psychological stress. Then, an overstimulated nervous system responds to everyday stressors, such as deadlines, social situations, economic concerns, or even imagined future scenarios, in inappropriate ways, often worsening the situation rather than improving it. 

When our brain's alarm system becomes dysregulated, it can be responsible for anxiety responses that feel overwhelming and disproportionate to the actual situation. When anxiety becomes disordered, these responses can cause adverse effects across different domains of an individual's life, such as specific phobia, social anxiety, insomnia, public speaking, performance issues, or generally across multiple domains.

Anxiety can manifest both psychologically and physically. As for the psychological mechanism, this includes racing thoughts, excessive worry, catastrophic thinking patterns, and difficulty concentrating. The physical symptoms of anxiety include a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, muscle tension, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms occur because anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system, flooding the body with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body for action. Although this is required for survival, when the body becomes overreactive, this can severely hinder cognitive efficiency and peak performance.

How QEEG Brain Mapping Reveals Anxiety Patterns 

At North Austin Neurofeedback, we utilize a QEEG (Quantitative EEG) as a helpful tool in guiding the selection of specific neurofeedback protocols that will work best for your unique brain and symptomology, making our intervention highly personalized and precise.

A QEEG measures the amount or expression of electrical oscillations present in the brain. Therefore, hyperarousal or highly abundant activity is often associated with anxiety disorders, which can present itself in many ways (Cohen, 2017).

High Beta Activity and Anxiety

One of the most significant brainwave patterns observed in individuals with excessive anxiety is an abundance of high beta frequencies, specifically above 20 Hz, in the frontal, central, and temporal regions (Ribas et al., 2018). Beta brain waves are crucial for maintaining focus, clarity, and effective functioning throughout the day, such as becoming engaged during moments of intense concentration or problem-solving. However, in a stress response, the brain can respond with excessive beta activity, indicating hyperarousal, which can manifest as stress, anxiety, and restlessness.

Additional Brainwave Patterns That Contribute to Anxiety Symptoms

While high magnitudes of beta wave lengths are the most common pattern we see in anxious clients, there are other patterns proven to contribute to dysregulated stress response. Understanding these patterns helps guide us in choosing the most beneficial neurofeedback intervention, explicitly designed to address dysregulations in an individual's unique brain map. The variability in root causes of anxiety highlights the need for a QEEG brain scan for the most effective and targeted neurofeedback protocols. 

Alpha Wave Patterns (8-12 Hz)

Alpha waves, when regulated, are associated with a relaxed state of awareness and a calm focus. Research has demonstrated that neurofeedback participants who generated more alpha waves showed significant anxiety reduction, while those with suppressed alpha activity often struggle to access calm, centered states (Ray & Cole, 1985). This pattern correlates with difficulty relaxing and chronic mental tension.

Theta Activity Irregularities (4-8 Hz)

Theta waves, often associated with relaxation and memory integration, when too low or too high, can also contribute to anxiety. When dysregulated, theta activity is associated with emotional dysregulation and cognitive inefficiency. In some individuals, excessive posterior theta may correlate with difficulties in sustaining attention and managing stress, particularly when combined with beta or alpha irregularities. In others, low posterior theta is associated with anxious executive functioning, such as patterns of procrastination or perfectionism. 

Poor Coherence: Brain Connectivity Issues

Sometimes anxiety also stems from poor communication between different brain regions, which is called coherence. QEEG can reveal these maladaptive connectivity patterns that affect emotional regulation and stress response coordination. For example, an individual experiencing hyperconnectivity may have an overactive communication system, leading to excessive stress and anxiety.

Evidence-Based Neurofeedback Protocols for Anxiety Treatment

At North Austin Neurofeedback, we utilize several evidence-based protocols specifically designed to address anxiety and hyperarousal patterns. Our approach is always personalized based on the individual QEEG brain map and specific symptoms.

Alpha-Up/Beta-Down Training

When a client's qEEG reveals excessive beta activity and reduced alpha waves, we target these specific areas with personalized protocols. We down-train high-beta and up-train alpha at affected sites such as frontal (F3/F4) and temporal (T3/T4) regions.

This approach reduces hyperarousal while maintaining healthy alertness. Research demonstrates that this alpha-up/beta-down training significantly reduces both anxiety and depressive symptoms (Wang et al., 2019).

SMR Training Protocol

Another effective protocol is SMR training at Cz, which increases the brain's ability to produce calm, focused states while reducing hyperarousal. SMR training leads to decreased anxiety, improved sleep quality, reduced physical tension, and enhanced emotional regulation.

Alpha Asymmetry Correction

We also address alpha asymmetry, a well-researched pattern linked to idle processing (“mental chatter”) and anxiety. Asymmetry with alpha occurs when there is greater proper activation, intensifying worry, overthinking, and difficulty disengaging from negative thoughts (Mennella et al., 2017). Our alpha-increase training helps restore hemispheric balance, promoting better emotional processing and reducing anxiety-related heart rate responses (Rice et al., 1993).

Another beneficial biofeedback tool for anxiety: Heart Rate Variability

Another highly effective biofeedback technique with a substantial amount of research supporting its ability to improve maladaptive anxiety symptoms is HRV or heart rate variability training (Dziembowska et al., 2016). When HRV is high, this means that the body is in a relaxed state and is highly adaptable to its environment. However, a low HRV suggests that the body is in a state of chronic stress or hypervigilance, which can reduce its ability to handle whatever is thrown at it effectively.

Therefore, a biofeedback technique called emWave enables individuals to train themselves to self-regulate HRV during high-stress situations through breathing exercises and self-awareness. At North Austin Neurofeedback, we offer HRV training in addition to neurofeedback training, which, according to research by Gruzelier et al. (2014), serves as a highly effective complement to a treatment plan for addressing stress and anxiety disorders.

Beginning The Journey to Calmer Living at North Austin Neurofeedback

At North Austin Neurofeedback, we recognize that anxiety impacts every aspect of life, which is why our approach extends beyond neurofeedback sessions to include comprehensive case management and ongoing progress monitoring. Our clinical director provides complimentary case management sessions every five neurofeedback sessions to track progress, address any concerns, and make protocol adjustments as needed.

Individuals struggling with anxiety who seek a medication-free approach that targets the root cause of their symptoms can benefit from neurofeedback. North Austin Neurofeedback invites prospective clients to take the first step toward relief by scheduling a consultation. 

Contact the office today at 512-293-9209 to start your journey toward improved well-being.

References

Cohen, M. X. (2017). Where does EEG come from, and what does it mean? Trends in Neurosciences, 40(4), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.02.004

Dziembowska, I., Izdebski, P., Rasmus, A., Brudny, J., Grzelczak, M., & Cysewski, P. (2016). Effects of heart rate variability biofeedback on EEG alpha asymmetry and anxiety symptoms in male athletes: A pilot study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 41(2), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-015-9319-4

Gruzelier, J., Thompson, T., Redding, E., Brandt, R., & Steffert, T. (2014). Application of alpha/theta neurofeedback and heart rate variability training to young contemporary dancers: State anxiety and creativity. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 93(1), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.05.004

Mennella, R., Patron, E., & Palomba, D. (2017). Frontal alpha asymmetry neurofeedback for the reduction of negative affect and anxiety. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 92, 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2017.02.002

Ray, W. J., & Cole, H. W. (1985). EEG alpha activity reflects attentional demands, and beta activity reflects emotional and cognitive processes. Science, 228(4700), 750–752. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3992243

Rice, K. M., Blanchard, E. B., & Purcell, M. (1993). Biofeedback treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: Preliminary results. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 18(2), 93–105.

Ribas, V. R., Ribas, R. G., Nóbrega, J. A., da Nóbrega, M. V., Espécie, J. A. A., Calafange, M. T., Calafange, C. O. M., & Martins, H. A. L. (2018). Pattern of anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic and/or phobia observed by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). Dementia & Neuropsychologia, 12(3), 264–271. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-57642018dn12-030007

Wang, S. Y., Lin, I. M., Fan, S. Y., Tsai, Y. C., Yen, C. F., Yeh, Y. C., Huang, M. F., Lee, Y., Chiu, N. M., Hung, C. F., Wang, P. W., Liu, T. L., & Lin, H. C. (2019). The effects of alpha asymmetry and high-beta down-training neurofeedback for patients with the major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 257, 287–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.026