Psychophysiological Assessment
There is a great divide in how we THINK we are doing, and how we are ACTUALLY doing.
The Psychophysiological Assessment is a powerful tool for understanding your nervous system. Why does this matter? You cannot look into therapeutic options without a known starting point. You know if your mind is stressed, but do you know if your body is? Knowing how stressed your body is can help to make sense of how you operate in your daily life and what your personalized strategy should be.
Autonomic Nervous System
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) regulates involuntary physiological processes, including heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and body temperature.
ANS Dysregulation
ANS dysregulation can cause dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, heart palpitations, sweat issues, and gastrointestinal problems. Cognitive issues include anxiety, panic, depression, focus issues, and sleep issues.
Central Nervous System
The Central Nervous System (CNS) is the primary processing center consisting of the brain and spinal cord. It processes, interprets, and coordinates incoming sensory information. It also directs motor response and high-level functions like thought, emotion, and memory.
Are you saying you’re not stressed but your body is saying something different?
Your brain needs to be in a “safe” place to make change.
The central nervous system (CNS) is an integral part of how your mind, brain, and body work together. Your brain may get all the credit for running the body, but it is part of the broader central nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is controlled by the CNS; therefore, involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing are automatically regulated there. If your body is trapped in chronic stress, mental or physical trauma, or illness the autonomic nervous system can become dysregulated.
To create effective therapeutic change, you must start with the ANS. Regulating the ANS brings the body to a “safe” state, free of flight or fight, so the brain can be accessed for healthy change.
Direct Data to Better Understand the Mind-Body Interaction
The Psychophysiological Assessment utilizes biofeedback metrics such as breathing rate/respiration(RESP), heart rate (BVP), hand temperature (TEMP), skin conductance (SC),muscle tension (EMG), and blood flow (PIR) to understand the interaction of the physiological and psychological processes of the body.
The objective data pulled from these modalities is aimed at understanding the body’s response to stress and how quickly it recovers. Clinicians are able to use this quantifiable information to help make decisions on therapy options, and track progress over time.
At Mind Brain Solutions, we believe that obtaining solid assessment results gives the client insight on what has become second nature in their body’s responses. and not something they may be consciously aware of. Learning to control the body’s autonomic nervous system responses is a crucial step in regulating the physical and mental functioning of the body. Then you are ready for your next steps in a successful pathway to wellness.
Multi-modal Assessment
The Psychophysiological Assessment at Mind Brain Solutions (MBS) is a 30-minute non-invasive test measuring breathing rate/respiration(RESP), heart rate (BVP), hand temperature (TEMP), skin conductance (SC),muscle tension (EMG), and blood flow (PIR). You will be comfortably seated in front of a TV, able to easily work through the screen instructions with Dr. Ferroly.
This autonomic nervous system data is taken across a 5-segment test; including, baseline levels, a stressful situation, self-guided relaxation, deep breathing, and a post follow-up period.
This assessment will be able to answer questions such as:
What is your resting breathing rate/respiration?
Do you hyperventilate without a stressor added?
Do you have anticipatory anxiety?
Are you able to react appropriately to a stressful event?
Does your stress response continue past an initial stressor?
Does your current “self-relaxation method” help you destress?
Are you able to breathe slowly and not hyperventilate?
How much balance do you have in your autonomic nervous system (PNS vs SNS)?
What is the state of your nervous system when being asked to sit still?
Autonomic nervous system data allows MBS to analyze objective data on how your body responds to and recovers from stress. Are there differences from what was self-reported? Are there things that you didn’t realize were happening with your nervous system? Are there subtle responses to stress that are not consciously noticeable but affecting your daily life?
This information is vital when discussing next steps and the most ideal therapeutic solution for your wellness journey.
Are you ready to take steps toward healthy integration between your mind and body?
Looking for More Information?
Biofeedback training is often the next step after completing the Psychophysiological Assessment.
A QEEG Brain Map Assessment may help you gain additional information on your brain-body interaction.
Learn how the Psychopysiolocial Assessment fits into the Mind Brain Solutions approach to health.