Neurofeedback has been shown to be an effective treatment for ADHD, as it helps to build stronger focus and attention. By teaching the brain how to better regulate its own electrical activity, neurofeedback can help improve symptoms in children and adults with ADHD. In addition, neurofeedback has been shown to have other benefits, such as reducing impulsivity and improving sleep. In this blog post we’ll discuss the topic of neurofeedback and ADHD, and how neurofeedback can help build stronger focus and attention. If you or your child are struggling with ADHD, neurofeedback may be worth considering as a treatment option.
The Truth About ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can persist into adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. According to the CDC, 11% of children 4-17 years old have ADHD.
While medications like Ritalin and Adderall are commonly prescribed to help control symptoms, there are downsides to these drugs. They can have side effects like loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and irritability. And long-term use can lead to dependence and addiction.
That’s where neurofeedback comes in. Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that uses brain waves to help train the brain to function more effectively. It’s a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating ADHD.
There is a lot of debate surrounding the effectiveness of neurofeedback for ADHD, but there is some evidence to suggest that it can be helpful.
How Does ADHD typically get treated?
When it comes to ADD/ADHD, the standard protocol historically has been medication. The medication stimulates the neurotransmitter dopamine which is associated with pleasure, attention, and movement- this is meant to treat or alleviate symptoms without pinpointing their cause.
However, there are many problems with this method. Many people do not want to medicate themselves or their children and are looking for a more natural solution. Others do not respond well to the medication or cannot tolerate the side effects. Some common side effects of ADHD medications include:
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Nausea
For many people, these side effects are not worth the benefit of taking the medication, so let’s discuss in more detail the neurofeedback for ADHD.
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback, is a type of biofeedback that uses brain waves to help train the brain to function more effectively. This process involves the use of specialized software and hardware that can measure brain activity and track changes over time.
The therapist then uses this information to provide feedback to the patient in order to help them learn how to self-regulate their brain activity. For those who are looking for an alternative or supplement to traditional ADHD treatments, neurofeedback may be worth considering.
Scholarly Article on Neurofeedback
Source – httpsss://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11571-022-09798-y
Neurofeedback training (NFT) is a noninvasive neuromodulation method for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Brain rhythms, the unique pattern in electroencephalogram (EEG), are widely used as the training target. Most of the current studies used a fixed frequency division of brain rhythms, which ignores the individual developmental difference of each child. In this study, we validated the feasibility of NFT using individual beta rhythms. A total of 55 children with ADHD were divided into two groups using the relative power of an individual or fixed beta rhythms as the training index. ADHD rating scale (ADHD-RS) was completed before and after NFT, and the EEG and behavioral features were extracted during the training process. After the intervention, the attention ability of both groups was significantly improved, showing a significant increase in beta power, a decrease in scores of ADHD-RS, and an improvement in behavioral and other EEG features. The training effect was significantly better with individualized beta training, showing more improvement in ADHD-RS scores. Furthermore, the distribution of brain rhythms moved towards high frequency after the intervention. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of NFT based on individual beta rhythms for the intervention of children with ADHD. When designing an NFT protocol and the corresponding data analysis process, an individualized brain rhythm division should be applied to reflect the actual brain state and to accurately evaluate the effect of NFT.
Looking for an alternative treatment option for ADHD can be a challenging process, as there are many different methods and approaches out there that promise to help with managing symptoms. But Neurofeedback and ADHD, have been something that has been a method to deal with ADHD since 1976.
How Can Neurofeedback Help ADHD?
The goal of all neurofeedback is to make your brainwaves be the same. If you have a bad brain pattern, then it will be different from what is normal and healthy. The goal is for your brain to work well so that it can operate optimally and efficiently.
Since neurofeedback is a non-invasive and safe treatment option, it has become a popular alternative to medications or other types of traditional ADHD treatments. There are many different types of neurofeedback that can be used to help treat ADHD, but the most common approach is to use EEG biofeedback. Always consult with a Health Care Professional before performing any treatment to make sure that it’s right for you. Here is a list of the Neurofeedback process.
1. The therapist obtains a baseline reading of the patient’s brain activity
2. The therapist then sets up the neurofeedback software and hardware to monitor the patient’s brain activity
3. The patient then completes a training session, during which they are asked to perform specific tasks that will help to regulate their brain activity
4. After the session is complete, the therapist then reviews the data and provides feedback to the patient
5. The patient then completes another session, and this process is repeated until the desired results are achieved
Typically it takes 7 – 12 sessions before the results desired are achieved, but everyone is different. Give us a call today to see learn more about Neurofeedback and how it can help you today.
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