In a world full of stimuli, our brains work tirelessly to filter, interpret, and respond to countless pieces of sensory information every second. For most people, this process happens seamlessly, but for some, it can be overwhelming. Sensory processing challenges and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break. In this article, we’ll explore the science of sensory processing and anxiety and how they are interlinked.
Sensory processing is the brain's ability to receive, organize, and respond to sensory input from the environment. This input can come from various senses:
For individuals with accurate sensory processing, these inputs are seamlessly integrated, allowing them to respond appropriately. However, for those with sensory processing difficulties, the brain may misinterpret or overreact to these inputs or miss other inputs altogether. This can result in heightened sensitivity to certain stimuli (hypersensitivity) or reduced responsiveness (hyposensitivity).
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to perceived danger or stress. It activates the body’s "fight or flight" system, leading to physical symptoms such as a racing heart, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness. There are times when feeling anxious is an expected and even beneficial reaction; however, chronic anxiety that persists can interfere with daily life and well-being. Anxiety disorders affect over 40 million adults in the U.S. annually, making them the most common mental health condition, and an estimated 10% of kids have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety can manifest in various ways, including:
How Anxiety Impacts the Brain
When anxiety presents, it can trigger the brain to shift to a state of hyper-alert. This level of alertness means the brain tries to take in and process as much sensory information as possible to understand what is happening in the environment. The evolutionary perspective is this sense of hyper-awareness helps the brain detect possible danger to stay safe or escape danger. This is contrasted with typical sensory processing throughout the day, where the brain works to conserve energy and only processes the information deemed pertinent. This state of increased awareness comes at a cost, as it requires high amounts of energy in the brain to process increased information. As the brain begins to run low on energy to support functions, some of the first areas impacted are higher-level brain functions that also require large amounts of resources to sustain. These higher-level brain functions include attention, inhibitory control, memory, and executive functions such as planning and prioritization.
Feeling anxious can result in a loss of control, which can subsequently increase anxiety. Thoughts and behaviors can get stuck in a loop of repetition, focusing on the fear or possible negative outcome, even if the concern driving the anxiety is not logical. At this moment, the brain is in a fight-or-flight or freeze mode, making it challenging to shift back to a calm state where you can more easily process information logically, plan, and move beyond repetitive thoughts.
Research shows that sensory processing difficulties and anxiety often coexist, particularly in children. The connection lies in the brain’s sensory systems and how they interact with the limbic system, the area responsible for emotions and stress responses.
Another critical factor contributing to sensory processing challenges and anxiety is retained developmental reflexes. These are reflexes that emerge in infancy and typically integrate as the brain matures. Examples include the Moro reflex (startle response) and the ATNR (asymmetrical tonic neck reflex). When these reflexes do not integrate properly, they can interfere with sensory processing and emotional regulation.
Addressing retained reflexes through targeted exercises can help the brain and body regulate better, reducing sensory processing challenges and anxiety.
Recent studies underscore the strong relationship between sensory processing and anxiety. Key findings include:
The understanding of the brain’s role in sensory processing and anxiety has drastically improved in recent years, allowing the emergence of researched-backed interventions to be applied based on this improved insight.
Traditional approaches to supporting anxiety and sensory processing, until recently, have often focused on managing symptoms through medication or improved coping strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Newer research-backed options concentrate on understanding the underlying neural mechanisms and have shifted the approach from managing symptoms to addressing a challenge at its root cause - differences in the brain pathways supporting these functions. By maturing and integrating how the brain takes in, processes, and reacts to sensory input and maturing whole-brain connectivity, research has demonstrated a reduction in anxiety and improvements in attention, cognition, and emotional and behavioral regulation.
Brain Balance is a holistic, non-medical program designed to support individuals with challenges related to attention, cognition, and emotional and behavioral regulation, including improved sensory processing. The program’s unique multimodal approach targets the root causes of sensory and emotional dysregulation by maturing and integrating the many individual functions in the brain that must work together for success in learning, behavior, and social interactions.
Understanding the role of the brain and the intricate connection between sensory processing and anxiety is the first step toward effective intervention. By addressing sensory challenges and retained developmental reflexes at their root, programs like Brain Balance offer a comprehensive pathway to improved emotional well-being and quality of life.
If your child or loved one struggles with sensory sensitivities or anxiety, know that help is available. With the right support, they can learn to navigate the world with confidence and resilience.
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