10/15/2025                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            CAN A QEEG DETECT OR DIAGNOSE DEPRESSION AND/OR ANXIETY?  
First of all, what is a qEEG?  A qEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram) is a brain-mapping tool that measures and analyzes your brain’s electrical activity.
It records brainwaves (like alpha, beta, theta, and delta) from sensors placed on the scalp and then uses computer software to create a visual “map” showing how different areas of your brain are communicating and functioning.
So - can it detect or diagnose depression and/or anxiety?  The honest answer: No — and here’s why that’s actually a good thing.
A qEEG (quantitative EEG) measures your brain’s electrical activity — showing how different areas are communicating and functioning. It’s a fascinating window into brain dynamics! 🧠
But despite how “high-tech” it sounds, a qEEG cannot diagnose mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
Here’s what most people don’t realize... 
🔹 There’s no single brain pattern for depression or anxiety.
While some studies find correlations (like slower activity in certain brain regions), these patterns vary greatly from person to person. Two people with “depression” can have completely different brain maps — and someone with no symptoms might look “depressed” on a scan.
🔹 Major health organizations agree:
The American Psychiatric Association (APA), FDA, and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) all confirm that qEEG is not a valid diagnostic tool. It can observe brain activity, but it can’t label mental disorders.
🔹 Even the DSM-5 (the diagnostic manual for mental health) is based on clusters of symptoms — not brain scans or lab tests. There’s still no biological marker that can “prove” someone has depression, anxiety, ADHD, or trauma.
So where does that leave us?
With an empowering alternative: NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback.
Instead of trying to diagnose or “fix” the brain, NeurOptimal® takes a different approach. It provides your brain with real-time feedback, allowing it to recognize its own patterns and naturally self-regulate.
No diagnosis. No labels. No interpretation.
Just a gentle, intelligent training process that supports clarity, calm, focus, and resilience — from the inside out.
Because your brain isn’t broken — it’s simply ready to optimize itself.
Sources:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 2013: “DSM categories are based on symptom clusters, not biological tests.”
American Psychiatric Association (APA): No current imaging test can diagnose mental disorders.
Hammond, D.C. (2010). Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 35(1), 31–36.
Interested in training your brain with NeurOptimal®?
Reach out to learn how neurofeedback can help you feel balanced, focused, and at your best — without the need for testing or labels.