What Is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment in the form of biofeedback that offers information about how the brain is functioning. Neurofeedback encourages self-control of the brain’s functions and improves your brain’s ability to balance itself through measuring brainwaves, which results in a reduction or complete removal of your symptoms.
Neurofeedback therapy helps to control brain processes by highlighting how the brain responds to different triggers. Individuals gradually develop the ability to identify certain brain states and then learn to mimic desired moods, like serenity, or stay away from undesirable states, such as agitation in their daily lives.
Neurofeedback uses highly sophisticated software to help your brain become aware of its activity. This information can be illustrated via a game, an animation, or a YouTube video you view on a big TV. Your brain will react and adjust positively when it observes its activity on the screen – somewhat similar to changing your appearance when you look in the mirror. Even if you’re not consciously aware of this process, you can start to have fewer symptoms after a few sessions. There are many types of neurofeedback, but we employ infra-low frequency neurofeedback since it is tailored to your unique symptoms and doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Does Neurofeedback Treat?
Neurofeedback provides an opportunity to assess and shift any given brain state. It can be used to treat several psychological conditions and address brain imbalances. Brain wave dysregulation linked to traumatic experiences is frequently treated with neurofeedback. Right-side training is also used for social and emotional deficiencies.
Neurofeedback has been shown to help several conditions, including:
- Brain injuries
- Insomnia and sleep problems
- Anxiety (including generalised anxiety disorder)
- Age-related cognitive loss
- Behaviour disorders
- Developmental delays
- Seizure conditions
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Drug addiction
- Schizophrenia
- Epilepsy
Due to the nature of neurofeedback, it can be used concurrently with other forms of treatment. Each condition may require different levels of treatment depending on the type and severity of the condition.
Neurofeedback does not give instant results, but the brain learns to maintain healthy behaviours over time. Think of the procedure like going to the gym to train your muscles; the more you train, the stronger they become. Neurofeedback determines your ideal training intensity, and your brain becomes stronger or healthier over time. Thankfully, unlike other muscles, the brain can learn to maintain health; this typically takes around twenty sessions, depending on the condition.
What to Expect During a Neurofeedback Session
Depending on your condition or circumstances, you may be referred to a neurofeedback specialist. After a consultation and assessment, you will then begin treatment.
- As the first step of treatment, you will be seated in a room in a relaxed setting; you will then be encouraged to try and relax as much as possible and become familiar and comfortable with your surroundings.
- Next, the practitioner will begin to connect the electrodes. Similar to electroencephalography (EEG), neurofeedback therapy sessions start with the application of an electrode-equipped helmet, cap, or headband. These sensors pick up your brain’s electrical signals and send them to the computer. This is a non-invasive procedure, and there are no drugs or needles used throughout the entirety of the treatment.
- The issue you’re seeking to solve will determine what you do during the session. For example, you might see something on a screen, shut your eyes, listen to sounds, or partake in a game on a video console through your brain activity. These activities can be done sitting up in a chair or lying down.
- The average session lasts for sixty minutes. You will receive indications of how your brain is functioning throughout the activity. The objective is to stay aware of your responses so that you can direct your brain toward the desired outcome.
- It is important to remember that you won’t see instant results, as positive responses will usually occur between six and twenty sessions depending on the condition being treated. Your progress will be monitored throughout the process, and the number of sessions required can be adjusted depending on your brain’s responsiveness.
Side Effects of Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is relatively risk-free and poses no harsh side effects. Neurofeedback therapy targets particular regions of your brain, which entails raising or lowering brain wave frequencies in these areas. Depending on the results of your QEEG (quantitative electroencephalography) scan, some brain regions can be more challenging to treat than others, resulting in minor adverse effects. An experienced neurofeedback practitioner can target brain regions that are more likely to result in favourable outcomes without running the risk of an undesirable reaction depending on your QEEG.
However, although Neurofeedback is relatively risk-free, it is essential to be open and honest with your practitioner about your medical history. Before starting therapy, always disclose any potential neurological conditions you may have, such as epilepsy and anxiety. Some ailments may create adverse effects if you are not clear about your symptoms, so it is crucial to be honest to reduce the likelihood of adverse side effects as much as possible.
If you begin to notice any adverse effects over the treatment period, contact your practitioner immediately. These side effects may include headaches, dizziness, brain fog, or tiredness. However, these side effects are uncommon and usually occur in exceptional circumstances.
Why Choose Kedras Clinics?
At Kedras Clinics, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of mental health research and development. We are constantly seeking new and better ways to assist our clients, from our cutting-edge neurofeedback therapies to our ground-breaking work with trauma, employing various psychotherapy modalities.
We believe everyone is unique, and treatment should be too. We tailor our treatment specifically to meet the needs of our clients to help them achieve the best possible outcome. Our staff members are highly experienced and trained in their fields. We consider everyone who contacts us a partner in establishing best practices, and we appreciate any feedback that will help us continue providing excellent service.
Contact us today to make an appointment or find out more.