The Power of Neurofeedback: Is Neurofeedback the Right Treatment for You?
Neurofeedback has established itself as a mainstream treatment in the medical field due to its holistic approach, non-invasive nature, and its ability to reduce the overall need for pharmaceuticals. It has changed the way we treat certain conditions by providing an evidence-based solution to those suffering from a multitude of conditions including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By monitoring our brain’s activity, we can help it learn to influence that activity toward a desired outcome.
The Missing Piece
As you stare blankly into the dark, your heart is pounding, you’re sweating, your breathing is labored, and once again you find it impossible to sleep. Behaviors and emotions can sometimes overwhelm us, making it difficult to carry a job, focus on our studies, or find enjoyment in the simplest moments of our lives. You’ve tried everything, from medications to therapy, and they all have helped mostly in managing your symptoms. However, a piece of the puzzle seems to be missing. Neurofeedback is a way to train the brain and fill in this void, to regain your sense of control and move toward peak performance.
What Exactly is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, also called EEG Biofeedback, is a monitoring system using video and sound feedback to assist in passively controlling the brain’s activity. This is all done in real time, with feedback provided to the brain instantaneously. Electrodes placed in specific locations on your scalp (this is not painful at all!) measure electrical signals in your brain and send that information to a computer. Software in the computer translates the electrical signals into feedback via visual displays, tactile touch, or auditory cues that you can see, feel, or hear.
It is also an effective tool to increase memory capacity, reduce stress, improve sleep, improve focus, and even increase cognitive capacity.
While the electrodes are on your head, you will be given the choice between leisurely watching TV or actively playing a video game. The brain’s activity will be monitored and measured while you are doing these activities, and feedback will be provided to the brain immediately.
The goal is to put your brain into peak performance. To do this, the screen will change in size from smaller to bigger, while the sound will go from quieter to louder. Your brain will take the feedback provided and make corrections to make the screen size and sound optimal for you. Thus, your brain is learning what areas are not optimal and practicing these adjustments. You don’t need to do anything while this is happening, as your brain will do all the work. All that is needed on your part is to be there and to be engaged.
It might not make sense to let the brain do all the work. However, your brain is a wonderful organ and can process and react to stimuli before you consciously think about it.
What are Some of the Pros and Cons
As with anything, there are always pros and cons to every approach. Neurofeedback has no harmful side effects, but some may experience a dull or heavy feeling, irritability, sleepiness, headaches, or muscle twitching. This may indicate that the feedback level is too high or too low. Our experts will adjust the feedback to manage any temporary symptoms you may experience and ensure you have no lasting effects.
- Pros– Neurofeedback is a safe, non-painful, non-invasive approach, that does not require any additional medications. You should continue with the medications that you are already taking. It’s an appropriate treatment for both children and adults. Neurofeedback can lead to greater satisfaction in life, improved mood and behavior, and better sleep, which leads to better overall health. Better yet, neurofeedback is considered by most to be an enjoyable experience, with some individuals going to sessions simply because they like it.
- Cons– This approach does require coming to multiple sessions. Although, most can start to see the benefits of this approach after as little as five sessions. Some require 20 to even as many as 40 sessions for maximum benefits. This is very dependent on the individual seeking treatment and their willingness to follow the routine. Time spent is time earned when it comes to the treatment of the mind.
13 million Americans experience PTSD each year
Who Benefits from Neurofeedback?
The benefits of Neurofeedback are numerous, and it’s even used in the military and space programs. Neurofeedback isn’t just for those suffering from mental health conditions or neurological disorders, as it is also an effective tool to increase memory capacity, reduce stress, improve sleep, improve focus, and even increase cognitive capacity. Let’s explore the most common mental health conditions and neurological disorders that Neurofeedback can help with.
- Depression: Depression is a serious illness and can lead to poor health or safety issues if left untreated. Depression is debilitating to those affected and can lead to a lack of motivation, irritability, and chronic fatigue, among other things. Depression can cause a fog over your mind and make everything feel and look dull. Neurofeedback serves as a non-pharmaceutical treatment that can help by rewiring the brain to reverse some of these symptoms, lifting the fog, and providing color and clarity to your life. Studies further support the fact that neurofeedback has a significant role in the treatment of Depression symptoms, without the use of medications (1).
- Anxiety: Anxiety is rising rapidly is on our world. The increased demands of work and life have left a lot of people feeling anxious. Anxiety causes frequent intrusive thoughts, decreased concentration, inattention, and a decline in productivity. It’s no wonder that so many are medicating and seeking treatment for it. Neurofeedback assists in managing symptoms of anxiety by calming the mind and allowing you to find peace. Neurofeedback in combination with trauma-informed counseling allows you to use your learned coping techniques more effectively. This leads to less worrisome thoughts, better focus, and improved quality of life.
- ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a lack of the ability to concentrate on a given task and or impulsive actions without thinking. This condition can have a profound impact on one’s ability to function in day-to-day activities. Neurofeedback seeks to provide aid to this condition by providing real-time feedback, allowing the individual to train the brain to self-regulate and maximize focus.
- OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or (OCD) is a condition that involves obsessive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive acts or behaviors to reduce anxiety. This cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior can cause a great sense of imbalance and instability in your daily routine, preventing you from living your life to the fullest. Neurofeedback can aid in monitoring your brain activity and provide a positive reward for optimal brain activity. This will bring both stability and balance to your brain activity and lead to a reduction in intrusive thoughts.
- PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or (PTSD) can occur when someone experiences a significant traumatic event. PTSD is often associated with war veterans; however, it affects many other children, teens, and adults as well. About 13 million Americans experience PTSD each year (3). Traumatic events can lead to intrusive thoughts, avoidance of anything that triggers a memory of the event, lack of sleep, change in moods, and inability to enjoy previously enjoyable activities. Neurofeedback helps regulate the brain by identifying brain activity associated with PTSD symptoms to effectively train the brain to reduce the symptoms. This leads to better sleep, better mood regulation, less anxiety, and improvements in focus. Studies further support the effectiveness of neurofeedback on PTSD symptoms by having an overall positive effect on the symptoms of depression and anxiety (2).
Our Approach at San Diego Therapy Center
Just like choosing the right doctor or dentist, you want to choose the right neurofeedback specialist. At San Diego Therapy Center, we have expert technicians who focus on a collaborative team approach to treatment. We all work together for the betterment of our clients, including weekly clinical reviews of all clients. Our team is specialty-trained and combine trauma-informed counseling with neurofeedback in a safe space.
We will explore with you any condition or symptoms you are experiencing and design a treatment plan made specifically for you. Rest assured, we will address any questions and concerns you have and explain everything we do along the way. Our goal is for every client to leave each session feeling comfortable with oneself, calm, and with a newfound sense of focus.
Neurofeedback can lead to greater satisfaction in life, improved mood and behavior, and better sleep, which leads to better overall health.
As a non-profit, we are committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of the San Diego community by offering low-cost treatments to children, adolescents, and families, and Pro Bono services to the underserved and disenfranchised. If you would like to help us provide low cost quality services, please donate to make a difference.
If you’re feeling trapped in your mind and are struggling with what to do next, reach out to us, and let’s explore whether neurofeedback is the right approach for you. We have already helped thousands in the San Diego area. Please call us at (619) 289-7322 or email us today, so that we may help you too.
References:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381523181_Uncovering_the_power_of_neurofeedback_a_meta-analysis_of_its_effectiveness_in_treating_major_depressive_disorders
Xia, Zheng & Yang, Pengyuan & Chen, Si-Lu & Zhou, Han-yu & Yan, Chao. (2024). Uncovering the power of neurofeedback: a meta-analysis of its effectiveness in treating major depressive disorders. Cerebral Cortex. 34. 10.1093/cercor/bhae252. - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10515677/
Askovic M, Soh N, Elhindi J, Harris AWF. Neurofeedback for post-traumatic stress disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and neurophysiological outcomes. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2023;14(2):2257435. doi: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2257435. Epub 2023 Sep 21. PMID: 37732560; PMCID: PMC10515677. - https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “How Common is PTSD in Adults?”>” February 3, 2023. Accessed November 19, 2024.
