Anxiety Disorders

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. It is a serious condition, characterised by persistent excessive worry, that makes it hard for a person to cope with, and take pleasure from, daily life. We all feel anxious from time to time, but for a person with anxiety these feelings cannot be easily controlled. There are different types of anxiety and it is common for people to experience more than one type of anxiety. Common types of anxiety include Generalised Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Social Anxiety.

Anxiety is often associated with depression and can affect people of all ages, from children at school and those at work, to grandparents at home. Research shows that on average 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives, with over 2 million Australians experiencing anxiety in any one year.

What Causes Anxiety?

At this stage scientists do not know precisely what causes anxiety. Latest research using sophisticated brain-imaging suggests that it may be caused by problems with key networks in the brain that regulate the control of cognition (thinking) and emotions (feelings). Brain scans that look at how the brain is working, such as QEEG, can help to localise the areas of the brain that are not working normally (which can be different from one person with Anxiety to another). This important information can be used to help guide advice and to develop personalised treatment programmes.

Drug-Free Treatment For Anxiety

There is no “one size fits all” approach to help people with anxiety, and we believe that individuals and families should be able to make an informed choice based upon the range of treatments now available. At Perth Brain Centre provides drug-free and evidence-based treatments for children and adults with anxiety including Neurofeedback Therapy and Biofeedback Training, as well as offering targeted lifestyle advice.