This list is not numbered, nor is it in any order. Not even alphabetical. Ha—even if one has a bit of OCD, and wants
very much for it to be ranked in descending order.
Someone you know and love is suffering from one or more of these
conditions. Out of the three basic
approaches to supporting a healthy brain, those being medication, talk therapy
and NeuroFeedback, these particular issues have been particularly responsive to
NF.
Depression
Anxiety
ADHD
PTSD
Postpartum Depression
Insomnia
Fatigue
Stroke
Seizure Disorders
Addictive Behavior
Emotional Dysregulation
Brain Injury
Migraine Headaches
OCD
ODD
And—Memory Development
Your
brain is basically an electrical generator.
Like the engine of a fine Tesla automobile.
And
this generator stimulates your actions and reactions, your thoughts and
emotions. Have you ever noticed yourself
stuck in a “tape loop”? A recurring
thought that keeps replaying like a bad dream?
Or have you found yourself jumping from thought to thought like someone
changing the channel with the remote, so fast you didn’t even get to see if a
decent or engaging program was airing because you were on to the next thing? Those are common examples of a dysregulated
brain. And that is exactly what NeuroFeedback
treats. So when my white Honda CRV gets
a bit dysregulated, I take it to a mechanic.
Alas, this is not my mechanic! I go to a trusted, trained, certified mechanic:
He uses diagnostic equipment to measure
performance, before he corrects the timing or the firing mechanisms so my car
once again operates smoothly and safely.
What
is the biggest misconception or fear about NeuroFeedback? Many patients (or parents of patients)
wonder, “Is NeuroFeedback putting electrical current INTO my brain?”
No. It’s only measuring the output. Just like the mechanic’s diagnostic
equipment. Passively measuring and
reporting.
The electrodes taped lightly on your head and earlobe are painless, they are merely measuring. You watch your choice of one of the 20 videos. Each one contains imagery that morphs or dissolves from one scene to another. Flowers, sailboats, you decide what a fun game you’d like to watch. Your brain is so smart. It figures out the game without any extreme effort on your part. Like life, the game is: move forward smoothly into your future. Don’t get stuck in your past. Don’t freeze in the present. Just keep the movie running. And as your brain figures out the game, which is to observe and hold the thought a fraction of a second longer, and enjoy the visual ride from one scene to another, then you are rewarded.
On my state of the art system, this reward is not annoying in the least. It’s a soft little reassuring ding, like when the elevator takes you to the desired floor. I watch your readouts, and adjust the reward level throughout your 30 minute treatment. Your brain’s timing mechanism works best in the range of 70% to 80%, so I tweak things to gently scootch you into performing in that optimal range.
If
you or a friend have questions, please read more. While my new website is being built, there is
much to read at www.neurofeedbackofkansascity.com. Do you think you are ready for a brain
tuneup? 913/647-8092
Warmly,
Lauren
King MA, LCMFT, Neurotherapist
"Your brain. Better."
"Your brain. Better."
The older I get, the more concerned I am with keeping my mind razor sharp. I am interested in alternative approaches to increasing my mental focus. NeuroFeedback, a type of therapy intended to teach the brain to stay calm and focused, I’m in. I have read articles that praise its benefits, comparing it to meditation on steroids. Training for your brain make sense, no different than going to the gym for the rest of your body.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining how it works! Rick, Overland Park