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Is Your Anxiety More Than Just Stress? How Brain Scans Can Help

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Could a QEEG scan be the key to understanding and managing your anxiety, insecurity, and fear?"

In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an almost constant companion. While a little stress can be a motivator, chronic stress can spiral into debilitating anxiety. But how do you know when you've crossed the line from normal stress to a more serious anxiety disorder? Many people struggle to differentiate the two, and some may even deny or downplay their symptoms.

Traditional methods of diagnosing anxiety rely heavily on self-reporting and clinical observation. However, these approaches can be subjective and may not always capture the full picture of what's happening in the brain. This is where innovative tools like Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) come into play.

QEEG, a non-invasive brain imaging technique, offers a window into the electrical activity of the brain. By measuring and analyzing brainwave patterns, QEEG can help identify specific neural signatures associated with different emotional states, including anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic, and phobias. This technology provides an objective way to assess and understand the complexities of anxiety disorders.

Decoding Anxiety: What Can a QEEG Scan Reveal?

A recent study published in Dementia & Neuropsychology explored the potential of QEEG in identifying patterns of brain activity linked to anxiety and related symptoms. Researchers used the TQ-7 QEEG system to evaluate the association between these symptoms and "hot temporals," a specific brainwave pattern characterized by elevated Beta (15-23 Hz) and High-Beta (23-38 Hz) activity in the temporal lobes (T3 and T4).

The study involved 543 participants, both male and female, aged 16 to 59. These participants were divided into two groups: a control group without hot temporals (n=274) and a case group with hot temporals (n=269). The researchers then used statistical analysis (Chi-square test) to determine if there was a significant association between the presence of hot temporals and the reported symptoms of anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic, and phobias.

Anxiety: T3=89.6% – T4=88.8%; T3=92.6% - T4=93.3%
Fear: T3=80.7% – T4=84.4%; T3=82.9% – T4=95.9%
Insecurity: T3=82.2% - T4=81.4%; T3=69.5% – T4=97.8%
Panic: T3=52.4 – T4=72.5%; T3=90.3% - T4=74.0%
Phobia: T3=17.5% -T4=22.7%; T3=19.7%-T4=27.1%

These findings suggest that QEEG can be a valuable tool in identifying individuals who may be struggling with anxiety and related conditions. By providing an objective measure of brain activity, QEEG can help clinicians make more informed diagnoses and develop targeted treatment plans.

Empowering Diagnosis and Treatment

QEEG technology offers a promising avenue for understanding and addressing anxiety and related disorders. By objectively measuring brainwave patterns, QEEG can aid in more accurate diagnoses, facilitate personalized treatment approaches, and ultimately empower individuals to regain control over their emotional well-being. If you're concerned about your anxiety levels, talk to your healthcare provider about whether a QEEG scan might be right for you.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/1980-57642018dn12-030007, Alternate LINK

Title: Pattern Of Anxiety, Insecurity, Fear, Panic And/Or Phobia Observed By Quantitative Electroencephalography (Qeeg)

Subject: Cognitive Neuroscience

Journal: Dementia & Neuropsychologia

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Valdenilson Ribeiro Ribas, Renata Guerra Ribas, Jean De Almeida Nóbrega, Marcília Vieira Da Nóbrega, Juliana Azevedo De Andrade Espécie, Murilo Tolêdo Calafange, Clenes De Oliveira Mendes Calafange, Hugo André De Lima Martins

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is a QEEG scan and how does it differ from traditional anxiety diagnosis methods?

A Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) scan is a non-invasive brain imaging technique that measures and analyzes brainwave patterns. Unlike traditional methods, which rely on subjective self-reporting and clinical observation, the QEEG provides an objective way to assess brain activity. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the neural signatures associated with anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic, and phobias, offering a more detailed view than conventional methods.

How does a QEEG scan identify anxiety, and what specific brainwave patterns are associated with it?

A QEEG scan identifies anxiety by analyzing brainwave patterns to find specific neural signatures. A study mentioned in the text, used the TQ-7 QEEG system. Researchers looked for 'hot temporals,' a specific brainwave pattern characterized by elevated Beta (15-23 Hz) and High-Beta (23-38 Hz) activity in the temporal lobes (T3 and T4). The presence of this pattern was statistically associated with reported symptoms of anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic, and phobias.

What were the key findings of the study using QEEG scans, and what do the percentages represent?

The study using QEEG scans investigated the relationship between 'hot temporals' and anxiety-related symptoms. The findings showed a significant association between these brainwave patterns and symptoms. The percentages listed (e.g., T3=89.6%) represent the percentage of participants in the case group (with hot temporals) who reported experiencing each specific symptom (Anxiety, Fear, Insecurity, Panic, Phobia) in relation to activity measured in the T3 and T4 temporal lobes. These results highlighted the potential of QEEG in identifying individuals struggling with anxiety.

What is the significance of the T3 and T4 measurements in the context of a QEEG scan for anxiety?

T3 and T4 refer to specific locations in the temporal lobes of the brain where the brainwave activity is measured by the QEEG. The temporal lobes are associated with emotional processing, memory, and auditory functions. The study focused on elevated Beta and High-Beta activity within these regions ('hot temporals') to find correlations with symptoms of anxiety. High percentages in T3 and T4 indicate a strong link between 'hot temporal' activity and the presence of symptoms like anxiety, fear, insecurity, panic, and phobias, suggesting that these brain regions play a critical role in the experience of these conditions.

How can QEEG scans empower diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders, and what are the implications for individuals?

QEEG technology empowers diagnosis and treatment by providing an objective measure of brain activity. By identifying specific brainwave patterns linked to anxiety, the QEEG aids in more accurate diagnoses, moving beyond subjective assessments. This objective data facilitates personalized treatment approaches, as clinicians can tailor interventions based on an individual's specific neural profile. For individuals, this means a greater understanding of their condition and the potential for more effective treatments, ultimately leading to improved emotional well-being and a greater sense of control over their anxiety and related symptoms.