Neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback therapy has emerged as an effective means of treatment for sleep disorders, depression, chronic pain and stress, muscle tension and stress. Neurofeedback therapy is meant for those with nervous and neurological system disorders. Those who have suffered from trauma, depression, brain-related issues, and ADD/ADHD are candidates for neurofeedback therapy. People who perform activities such as smoking cigarettes, doing prolonged exercise, and having addictive behaviors such as alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana are also candidates.
Neurofeedback can help improve sleep quality and quantity, anxiety, mood, and stress. The brain’s vast network of nerves provides constant positive control over most of our activities, but when certain brain functions become out of balance, it can lead to sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and other disorders. During sleep, the brain regains control and normalizes brain function, making it possible to resume optimal mental performance. But in some cases, the brain never quite regains its balance and control during sleep. Neurofeedback helps achieve brain activity in the areas affected by these disorders, allowing the brain to function normally again.
Neurofeedback therapy can treat several common disorders affecting brain function. But it has been shown that this method can also be effective in the treatment of a more specific set of disorders, including attention deficit disorder (ADD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the past, ADD/ADHD and PTSD were almost exclusively associated with substance abuse and/or depression, and many psychologists and psychiatrists felt that treating these disorders would be more complicated than treating ADHD and OCD alone. New methods of treatment, however, have allowed researchers to focus specifically on how neurofeedback treatment can improve symptoms in these disorders. As more awareness of the positive benefits of this therapy grows, more patients are turning to neurofeedback as a viable alternative to traditional forms of treatment.
One of the areas in which neurofeedback appears most effective is in the area of anxiety autism. Several research studies have found that neurofeedback can help children with anxiety disorders improve their ability to control their brain wave activities during periods of high stress. The reduced activity in the regions of the brain related to stress, anxiety, and depression can allow these children to better cope with emotional problems. Another study found that patients with bipolar disorder brain injury were able to control their brain activity during periods of high stress using neurofeedback. In addition, another study found that patients suffering from chronic depression were able to control brain wave activities, which improved their mood and helped them overcome their depression.
Improvement Using Neurofeedback
To gain insight into how neurofeedback treatment can benefit patients suffering from ADHD, bipolar disorder, chronic depression, and other mental disorders, it’s important to understand how neurofeedback training works. Neurofeedback training uses an EEG machine to record brain wave activity during a patient’s brain waves. Then the trained individual can see and hear the brain waves that are related to their specific problem. This type of information helps doctors and mental health professionals to determine how to best treat a patient’s particular mental health issue.
Neurofeedback Treatment
For those patients suffering from ADHD, a traumatic brain injury, and other brain ailments, neurofeedback therapy has proven to be very beneficial. The brain wave patterns of those with traumatic brain injury have been shown to significantly improve when they regularly receive brain training. Those individuals also show an improvement in their social skills when they regularly attend neurofeedback training sessions. This is a definite advantage over the use of conventional medications and other methods for those suffering from ADHD and brain injuries.
Neurofeedback Therapy for Learning Disabilities
The use of neurofeedback to treat learning disabilities is still in its early stages. However, there have been several research studies that show the potential for this treatment to greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities. Several studies have found that individuals with LD also benefit from regular neurofeedback training sessions. This is the first step in realizing the tremendous potential of this treatment method.
Neurofeedback Therapy for sleep disorders
Another important application of neurofeedback is in the field of sleep disorders. Sleep disorders greatly affect a person’s quality of life. As a result, these individuals suffer from a variety of symptoms, such as lack of concentration, inability to focus, depression, fatigue, and more. Through neurofeedback, individuals who suffer from sleep disorders can increase their levels of relaxation and decrease their levels of stress. These results help to improve their quality of life.
