10 Ways Looking at Your Brain Can Help with Anxiety

HOW BRAIN SCANS REVEAL THE ROOT CAUSE OF ANXIETY

Anxiety is often misunderstood as simply a reaction to stress or negative thoughts, but the reality is far more complex.

Brain imaging has shown that anxiety is not just an emotional state—it has a biological foundation that varies from person to person. Understanding this deeper level is essential for effective treatment.

DIFFERENT BRAIN PATTERNS IN ANXIETY

SPECT is a functional brain-imaging technology that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. A brain scan can uncover which specific areas of the brain are overactive or underactive, providing valuable insight into what’s fueling anxiety.

Here are a few common patterns, based on scientific research as well as over 250,000 SPECT scans performed at Amen Clinics:

• Overactive Basal Ganglia – This structure is involved in setting the body’s anxiety level. When overactive, it can lead to excessive worry, tension, and nervousness, according to scientific findings.
• Increased Activity in the Amygdala – The amygdala is the brain’s fear center. Hyperactivity in this area can result in heightened emotional reactivity and an exaggerated fight-or-flight response, according to a 2022 study.
• Low Prefrontal Cortex Activity – Research shows that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for rational thinking and impulse control. If underactive, it may lead to poor emotional regulation and increased susceptibility to anxiety.
• Anterior Cingulate Gyrus Overactivity – The Amen Clinics database shows that when this part of the brain is overactive, it can cause repetitive thoughts, making it difficult to let go of worries or anxieties.

WHY BRAIN IMAGING MATTERS FOR ANXIETY TREATMENT

Traditional approaches to treating anxiety often take a one-size-fits-all approach, assuming all anxiety disorders are the same. However, the different brain patterns associated with anxiety suggest that what works for one person may not work for another.

Brain imaging can help tailor treatments by:

• Identifying which medications or natural interventions may be more effective based on the specific brain pattern.
• Guiding behavioral therapies to target the overactive or underactive regions of the brain.
• Providing patients with a clearer understanding of their condition leads to a sense of validation and a more proactive approach to healing.

10 WAYS BRAIN IMAGING CAN HELP WITH ANXIETY

1. Seeing is believing.

For Marsha, seeing her SPECT brain scan convinced her that her condition wasn’t something that she should be able to control on her own. It made her realize that taking medication might be necessary on a temporary basis.

For many people who seek treatment at Amen Clinics, seeing their SPECT scans validates their feelings.

2. Brain scans show that anxiety is not just one thing.

Most people assume that people with anxiety experience the same signs and symptoms. This isn’t true.

The brain-imaging studies at Amen Clinics reveal that anxiety is not a single or simple disorder. In fact, there are seven different brain patterns associated with the condition, and each one requires a targeted treatment program.

The seven types of anxiety disorders are:

Type 1: Pure Anxiety

Type 2: Pure Depression

Type 3: Mixed Anxiety/Depression

Type 4: Over-focused Anxiety/Depression

Type 5: Temporal Lobe Anxiety/Depression

Type 6: Cyclic Anxiety/Depression

Type 7: Unfocused Anxiety/Depression

Related: Getting to Know the 7 Types of Anxiety and Depression (ebook)

3. Brain imaging helps minimize feelings of guilt.

Many people with anxiety feel like their condition is a sign of weakness, a personal failure, or a lack of willpower. This can prevent you from seeking help, which compounds the problem.

When you realize that anxiety disorders aren’t your fault, it’s much easier to seek the help you need. You stop feeling ashamed and start feeling empowered to do something about it.

4. Brain scans give your loved ones better understanding and empathy.

Some family members may have a hard time understanding your struggles with anxiety or panic attacks. They may think you aren’t trying hard enough to get over it.

Seeing your brain scan can help them realize that your condition is biological in nature. This typically leads to family members being more encouraging and supportive in your healing journey.

5. Brain imaging can reveal unsuspected causes of anxiety.

Anxiety can be caused by many things, such as genetic vulnerabilities, neurochemical imbalances, hormonal issues, adverse childhood experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), head injuries, certain medications, and more.

Brain scans can offer clues about anxiety causes. This provides psychiatrists with valuable information that allows them to ask better questions to help get to the root causes of anxiety. By understanding underlying causes, mental health professionals are better equipped to develop more effective treatments for anxiety.

Related: The Long-Term Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences 

6. Seeing your brain can give you brain envy.

When people see their own brain scan compared with a healthy brain scan, it can prompt them to develop something the experts at Amen Clinics call “brain envy.” Wanting a better brain makes you more inclined to follow an anxiety treatment plan.

It also encourages you to make simple yet powerful lifestyle changes that optimize brain function. With better brain function comes better anxiety management.

7. Brain scans can reveal if anti-anxiety medications are harming your brain. 

Brain imaging at Amen Clinics has shown that some anti-anxiety pills are damaging to overall brain function. For example, on SPECT scans, people taking benzodiazepines typically have reduced overall brain activity.

Research shows that decreased brain activity is associated with memory loss and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Finding treatments that don’t impair brain function is critical for better health.