Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Understanding Anxiety & Panic Disorders

At Cosmos Healthcare, we provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias. Our approach combines neuropsychological understanding with evidence-based interventions.

Anxiety is a normal human response to perceived threat—but when it becomes excessive, persistent, or triggered inappropriately, it can significantly impair quality of life. Panic attacks, characterised by sudden intense fear with physical symptoms like racing heart, breathlessness, and dizziness, can be particularly distressing and disabling.

Modern neuroscience has revealed that anxiety disorders involve dysregulation in specific brain circuits, particularly the amygdala (the brain's fear centre), the prefrontal cortex (which normally regulates emotional responses), and the connections between them. Understanding these patterns through QEEG brain mapping allows us to develop targeted treatment approaches.

The Physical Experience of Anxiety

Anxiety is not "just in your head"—it manifests throughout the body. When the brain perceives threat, it triggers the fight-or-flight response: adrenaline surges, heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles tense, and digestion slows. These physical symptoms can be as distressing as the psychological experience, and in panic attacks, they can be so intense that people fear they're having a heart attack or losing control.

Understanding the physical nature of anxiety is crucial for effective treatment. Many people find relief simply in learning that their symptoms have a clear physiological explanation. Our approach addresses both the neurological patterns underlying anxiety and the physical symptoms that accompany it, using techniques that help regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of calm and control.

Treatment Approaches

QEEG-Guided Assessment

Our assessment begins with comprehensive clinical evaluation, often including QEEG brain mapping. This allows us to identify specific patterns of brain activity associated with your anxiety, such as elevated high-frequency beta activity (associated with hypervigilance) or dysregulation in frontal regions involved in emotional control. This neurophysiological understanding guides treatment selection.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT remains the gold-standard psychological treatment for anxiety disorders. It helps you identify and challenge anxious thoughts, gradually face feared situations through controlled exposure, and develop practical coping strategies. CBT has strong evidence for effectiveness across all anxiety disorders.

Neuromodulation Approaches

For some individuals, particularly those who haven't responded adequately to psychological therapy alone, neuromodulation techniques may be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. TMS therapy can target brain regions involved in anxiety regulation, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of psychological interventions.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback training uses real-time feedback from brain activity to help individuals learn to regulate their own neural patterns. This can be particularly helpful for anxiety, as it teaches self-regulation of the overactive brain circuits that drive anxious responses.

Integrated Care

We work collaboratively with your GP and other healthcare providers. For some individuals, a combination of psychological therapy and medication provides the best outcomes. We can advise on this integrated approach while respecting that medication prescribing remains with your medical team.

Recognising Anxiety Disorders

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

• Persistent, excessive worry about multiple areas of life
• Difficulty controlling worry
• Restlessness, feeling on edge
• Fatigue, muscle tension
• Sleep disturbance
• Difficulty concentrating

Panic Disorder

• Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
• Intense fear of having another attack
• Avoidance of situations where attacks have occurred
• Physical symptoms: racing heart, sweating, trembling, breathlessness
• Feelings of unreality or detachment
• Fear of losing control or dying

Social Anxiety

• Intense fear of social or performance situations
• Fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated
• Avoidance of social situations
• Physical symptoms in social settings (blushing, trembling, sweating)
• Anticipatory anxiety before social events

Common Questions

Can anxiety be cured?

Many people make a full recovery from anxiety disorders with appropriate treatment. Others learn to manage their anxiety effectively so it no longer significantly impacts their lives. The key is finding the right combination of treatments for your individual needs.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment duration varies depending on the type and severity of anxiety, how long you've experienced symptoms, and your response to treatment. A typical course of CBT involves 8-20 sessions, though some people benefit from longer-term support.

Will I need medication?

Not necessarily. Many people recover from anxiety with psychological therapy alone. However, for some individuals, medication can be a helpful addition to therapy. This is a decision you would make with your GP or psychiatrist, and we can advise on the evidence for different approaches.

What's the difference between normal worry and an anxiety disorder?

Everyone worries sometimes—that's normal. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed when anxiety is excessive, persistent (typically lasting 6 months or more), difficult to control, and significantly impairs your daily functioning or causes substantial distress.

Can QEEG help with anxiety?

QEEG brain mapping can identify patterns of brain activity associated with anxiety, helping to guide treatment selection and monitor progress. It provides an objective measure of brain function that complements clinical assessment.