Anxiety

Anxiety disorders may affect more than 19% of adults in the United States. If you’re bothered by constant fear or anxiousness, turn to Myneurva Brain Centers in Hackensack, New Jersey. Psychiatry and neurology specialist Frederick Starr, MD, FAACAP, offers revolutionary treatments for anxiety to help you overcome problematic symptoms. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking a visit online today. 

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that cause anxiousness, fear, or dread in situations that aren’t perceived as harmful to others. These disorders are common and may negatively interfere with simple activities like school, work, and relationships. Various anxiety disorders exist. Determining which you may have and seeking treatment can optimize your quality of life and help you flourish.

What are the symptoms of an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorders can cause:

• Sweating
• Racing heartbeat
• Trembling
• Fear
• Anxiousness
• Phobias
• Panic attacks
• Continuous worry
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Obsessive or uncontrollable thoughts 
• Panic
• Restlessness
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty sleeping 

Anxiety can cause unwarranted fear in situations that don’t bother most other people.

What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

The following are examples of anxiety disorders:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): feeling fearful or being overwhelmed in everyday situations
• Panic disorder: panic attacks that might feel like you’re having a heart attack
• Agoraphobia: intense fear of being unable to escape from crowds or enclosed spaces
• Social anxiety disorder: fear or anxiousness in social situations 
• Phobias: extreme fear of specific things, such as elevators, bridges, or heights
• Selective mutism: only talking in certain situations 
• Separation anxiety disorder: anxiousness when separated from a loved one

Disorders that could co-exist with anxiety include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, substance use disorder, and acute stress disorder. 

What are the risk factors for anxiety?

Anxiety risk factors may include brain changes, family history of anxiety disorders, chemical imbalances, and ongoing stress. Trauma can also trigger anxiety. However, the exact cause isn’t fully clear.

How is anxiety diagnosed?

At Myneurva Brain Centers, Dr. Starr can diagnose an anxiety disorder by completing a psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. He discusses your symptoms, mental health history, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. 

He also completes a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) to measure brain wave activity and determine how to best treat your anxiety.

How can neurofeedback help treat anxiety?

Neurofeedback for anxiety treatment is a non-invasive therapy that helps the brain learn to self-regulate and reduce anxious symptoms. During sessions, small sensors are placed on the scalp to monitor brain activity, while real-time feedback—through visual or auditory cues—guides the brain toward calmer, more balanced patterns. Many patients describe neurofeedback sessions as relaxing and even meditative.

This therapy is effective for managing generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety. By retraining the brain’s response to stress, neurofeedback can help reduce anxious thoughts, ease tension, and improve emotional control.

In addition to immediate symptom relief, neurofeedback supports long-term mental wellness. Patients often experience better sleep, enhanced focus, and improved mood. By addressing the brain’s underlying patterns rather than simply masking anxiety, neurofeedback for anxiety treatment can help individuals build resilience and feel calmer in their daily lives.

Schedule an anxiety disorder evaluation at Myneurva Brain Centers by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.