Biofeedback didn't cure my migraines, but helped me overcome my anxiety
Unexpectedly pleasant discoveries about my brain-body dynamic
When people say “knowledge is power” I was always like, ok whatever. But now I am a believer!
Since 2015, I’ve suffered from terrible, uncommon, stubborn migraines that have made living incredibly difficult. After years of exhausting treatment combos, my condition finally improved last year when I discovered the right combination of neuro meds and HRT.
During these experiments, it was suggested by my primary care doctor that I try biofeedback. I’d never heard of biofeedback, but was desperate to try anything so I made a series of three appointments.1
Biofeedback is a way to gain awareness and control over your body’s functions. In each session, I was hooked up to a machine that monitored many of my body’s basic vitals: heartbeat, blood pressure, skin temperature, etc. All of this data was visible on a screen, so I could watch the numbers change.
It’s been some years since these sessions, so I don’t recall the exact exercises we did, but I remember being asked to think of various scenarios and to read or listen to situations. What I remember clearly is that she told me I was a “strong physical reactor” and that I was “very susceptible to suggestion.” Not really something you want to hear as a self-described independent thinker!
She demonstrated this to me in the next exercise. I watched my temperature rise and my heartbeat increase in direct response to what she was saying. Then, we worked on methods to regain control of these functions using a variety of thought exercises, breathing techniques, and mantras. She mentioned that this sometimes works well for folks who suffer from panic attacks or anxiety. I thought: that’s me!
I’m an over-thinker and an obsessor. My brain is in control of everything, which is frequently a problem. In a panic attack situation, my brain will detect something is off in my body, immediately go into flight mode, and repeat the same thoughts until I’m spiraling and my body is overreacting. But there is no real threat or danger. It’s just me and my overreactive brain, and my poor body is along for the ride.
Until biofeedback, I didn’t realize that my thought patterns were making my panic attacks worse. I didn’t think I could reduce them (or stop them from happening) by changing my thoughts because in the moment, I felt so out of control. During this appointment, I changed my thought pattern, slowed my heartbeat, and got myself out of flight mode.
Only then did I believe I was capable. Knowledge is power. Power over my thoughts and my body. Mind over matter.2 Regaining control.
Biofeedback was one of the best health treatments I’ve ever experienced, even though it didn’t help my migraines. I wouldn’t have discovered it if I hadn’t had those migraines, though, which is a real shame because I spent so many years suffering from panic attacks—at times I couldn’t leave the house. Throughout my years of therapy and medication, NO ONE mentioned biofeedback, even though it's a recognized treatment option for anxiety and panic disorders. I feel like it should be discussed more regularly.
I’m lucky and grateful that this worked for me. And since those three initial sessions, I hardly get any panic attacks anymore, but when I do, I’m able to reverse them and create a new thought pattern to help myself through fearful situations. I don’t even take any medication for them anymore, but I always have it with me—“emotional support clonazepam!”
Biofeedback was not covered by my health insurance. I’m privileged to be able to afford this treatment, but angry knowing that it isn’t accessible to everyone.
While I’m not in the group of folks who believe you can think cancer away with positive thoughts, I believe that there’s more to our mind-body connection than we understand.
Fascinating! Thank you for sharing this. I suffer from anxiety and bad migraines. I’m interested to hear the details of your migraine cure.