Sensory approaches for anxiety and depression
Sutton, Daniel LU and Argentzell, Elisabeth LU
(2026)
p.89-103
- Abstract
Anxiety and mood disorders are the most diagnosed mental health conditions globally, but many people do not have access to treatment that is effective, affordable, and acceptable. Sensory modulation intervention is an emerging approach, which may provide an accessible alternative or complement to existing pharmaceutical and talking therapies for managing anxiety and low mood. Evidence suggests that a significant component of anxiety and mood disorders is dysregulation in central and autonomic nervous system responses. Further evidence suggests that calming and alerting stimuli in objects, activities, or environments can be used to assist with the regulation of these nervous system responses which, in turn, impact affect, thoughts, and... (More)
Anxiety and mood disorders are the most diagnosed mental health conditions globally, but many people do not have access to treatment that is effective, affordable, and acceptable. Sensory modulation intervention is an emerging approach, which may provide an accessible alternative or complement to existing pharmaceutical and talking therapies for managing anxiety and low mood. Evidence suggests that a significant component of anxiety and mood disorders is dysregulation in central and autonomic nervous system responses. Further evidence suggests that calming and alerting stimuli in objects, activities, or environments can be used to assist with the regulation of these nervous system responses which, in turn, impact affect, thoughts, and behavioral responses. This chapter provides an overview of anxiety and depressive disorders with a focus on the relationship between sensory processing issues and anxiety- or mood-related symptoms. Principles for applying sensory strategies to manage these symptoms are discussed, and the evidence base for the use of various sensory modalities is reviewed.
(Less)
- author
- Sutton, Daniel
LU
and Argentzell, Elisabeth
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Anxiety disorders, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Mood disorders, Sensory modulation, Sensory processing issues
- host publication
- Sensory Approaches to Mental Health Practice
- pages
- 15 pages
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105036934689
- ISBN
- 9780443405976
- 9780443405969
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-0-443-40596-9.00009-9
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
- id
- ca2d8b79-ab5d-4ea7-975b-5c0115ea2526
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-27 14:42:03
- date last changed
- 2026-05-27 14:42:38
@inbook{ca2d8b79-ab5d-4ea7-975b-5c0115ea2526,
abstract = {{<p>Anxiety and mood disorders are the most diagnosed mental health conditions globally, but many people do not have access to treatment that is effective, affordable, and acceptable. Sensory modulation intervention is an emerging approach, which may provide an accessible alternative or complement to existing pharmaceutical and talking therapies for managing anxiety and low mood. Evidence suggests that a significant component of anxiety and mood disorders is dysregulation in central and autonomic nervous system responses. Further evidence suggests that calming and alerting stimuli in objects, activities, or environments can be used to assist with the regulation of these nervous system responses which, in turn, impact affect, thoughts, and behavioral responses. This chapter provides an overview of anxiety and depressive disorders with a focus on the relationship between sensory processing issues and anxiety- or mood-related symptoms. Principles for applying sensory strategies to manage these symptoms are discussed, and the evidence base for the use of various sensory modalities is reviewed.</p>}},
author = {{Sutton, Daniel and Argentzell, Elisabeth}},
booktitle = {{Sensory Approaches to Mental Health Practice}},
isbn = {{9780443405976}},
keywords = {{Anxiety disorders; Bipolar disorder; Depression; Mood disorders; Sensory modulation; Sensory processing issues}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{89--103}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
title = {{Sensory approaches for anxiety and depression}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-40596-9.00009-9}},
doi = {{10.1016/B978-0-443-40596-9.00009-9}},
year = {{2026}},
}