Anxiety manifests itself in both a physical and psychological way. Physical symptoms of anxiety can include increased heart rate, knots or butterflies in one’s stomach and sweaty palms while psychological symptoms include feelings of uneasiness, worrying and nervousness. Every person will experience anxiety some time in their lives, however if the experience of anxiety significantly impacts a person’s life it is possible that they might be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Many other disorders such as ADHD, autism and depression can co-occur with anxiety, negatively compounding the symptoms associated with these disorders.
HOW TOMATIS THERAPY HELPS
The TOMATIS therapy for anxiety is a program created by Dr Alfred Tomatis. The therapy focuses on two significant areas involved in emotion, one of which is the limbic system. Emotional life is largely housed in the limbic system, and it has a great deal to do with the formation of memories.
The other area TOMATIS therapy focuses on is balancing the sympathetic nervous system (the part of the brain which stimulates the body’s fight or flight response) and parasympathetic nervous systems (the part of the brain which stimulates the body’s rest and digest response).
HOW TOMATIS THERAPY WORKS
The TOMATIS method is a listening program which helps open the ear to high frequency sounds which energises the central nervous system to enhance control over stress responses as well as thoughts and emotions related to the experience of anxiety. It also provides the individual with more energy, improves listening skills as well as improves thought processing and focus.
BENEFITS OF TOMATIS THERAPY
- Increases in rapid relaxation responses.
- Increased emotional balance.
- Reduction in anxiety related symptoms.
- Becoming more open to environmental and internal stimuli.
- Becoming more open and responsive to therapeutic interventions.
OTHER AREAS WHERE TOMATIS IS EFFECTIVE
- Improvements in terms of auditory processing
- ADHD
- Autism
- Learning difficulties
- Behavioural problems