Neurofeedback is a form of the therapy which is used to treat neurological (brain) inefficiencies. This is done by placing electrodes on the scalp in order to read the brain activity. The client receives feedback in the form of sound or visual images on a computer screen. The information or feedback assists the clients to adjust their brain activity.
Now that’s a mouthful that sounds complicated and quite daunting but it’s not really, let’s look at why we would use it. Here are some Typical 21st Century scenarios.
You feel :-
- anxious
- you find it difficult to fall asleep
- you wake in the early hours of the morning
- you find it difficult to focus at work
- you experience muscle tension particularly in your back and shoulders
- you experience nausea and digestive problems.
The doctor diagnosis anxiety and prescribes medication. The medication helps.
Have you thought that the medication is merely alleviating the symptoms. When you go off the pills at some point you will still have the problem…. so are you taking them for life? There is a wholistic and lasting approach that would eventually eliminate the need for pills. Neurofeedback needs to be an option you consider for a lasting solution.
Your children
Your son’s teacher requests an interview…
The concerns are that your son:-
- does not complete his work in class
- he daydreams and stares into space
- he does not follow the given instructions
- he only seems to pay attention if the topic is of particular interest to him
- he regularly loses his books, stationary and sports clothes.
Your friend’s son also has problems at school – the complaints are that:-
- he never completes his tasks
- he is always out of his seat interfering with the other children
- he is impulsive
- he cannot wait ‘his turn’ and shouts out in class
- he also loses his things and forgets his homework books at school.
Both children are said to require medication. Is this the only way to treat concentration problems?
Anxiety and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are three of the conditions which usually respond well to a neurofeedback.
Is Neurofeedback dangerous?
No, – if monitored correctly, by a suitably trained professional, there is no danger at all. This is because the electrodes merely read the brain activity and provide feedback via the computer monitors. The client then makes the necessary adjustments. It is thus a self-regulatory process. As the brain – functioning becomes more efficient so the symptoms associated with the inefficiencies will improve. It is thus rather like an exercise programme which is designed for brains.
Is it a new form of therapy – how much is known about it?
Neurofeedback has been used for over 40 years. It is well recognised and used extensively in the USA, Europe and Australia. It was introduced into South Africa about 15 years ago. Extensive scientific research has been carried out and neurofeedback has been found to assist in many common problems or disorders which have a neurological basis. Such problems include depression, anxiety, attention deficit problems (both with and without hyperactivity), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), various forms of addiction and other brain – related problems.
How often is therapy required and how long does it take before results are seen?
Therapy should take place at least once a week but very often clients initially receive therapy twice a week and in my experience this results in quicker progress. Many clients do see some immediate effects but for others it takes longer. Approximately 80% of clients experience improvement but as with any form of therapeutic intervention, improvement cannot be absolutely guaranteed. However, neurofeedback usually yields good and lasting results. I often use neurofeedback in conjunction with Mindsight exercises and it is yielding excellent results.
Reference
Grohol, John. (2014). Neurofeedback training your brain.
Swingle, G. (2008). Biofeedback for the brain