Have you heard of neurofeedback? Well, it’s a very promising treatment that has been employed for a variety of conditions, including ADHD.
In premise, neurofeedback employs the use of instant EEG key-points that allow patients to adapt their brains to improve executive function, focus, and impulse control.
In this article, we will cover neurofeedback for ADHD in a little bit more depth.
So keep reading to learn more.
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
As mentioned earlier, neurofeedback therapy employs the use of instant EEG data to allow patients to adapt their brains for predictable outcomes of improved focus, greater impulse control, and functioning execution.
For over 40 years, patients with ADHD and other disorders have been using neurofeedback in the hopes of training their brains. According to anecdotal and scientific reports, the benefits are:
- Brain changes can be measured, and appear to continue well beyond the end of treatment
- Brain improvements lead to behavioral changes, such as reduced distractibility, sustainable focus, diminished impulsivity
Neurofeedback has deep roots in neuroplasticity, the scientific principle in which the brain is identified as malleable. This means that intense and regular practice can transform its baseline activity.
Over time, neurofeedback can help patients improve the rate of their high-frequency brain waves. Thus, leading to greater control. It’s noted that many ADHD patients generate a greater quantity of theta and delta brain waves. Over 30 sessions, neurofeedback can reverse this overwhelming ratio. The outcome is an engaged brain with reduced symptoms of ADHD.
Even more specifically, the therapy improves the brain’s capacity and inherent tendency to create beta waves. Those are directly related to problem solving and processing. When a high proportion of theta waves is present, patients will experience disorganization, incomplete work, and distractibility. Neurofeedback diminishes the presence of such brainwaves.
Where Did It Come From?
In the 1920s, Hans Berger (German psychiatrist) had connected several electrodes to a scalp of a patient and was able to detect current via a ballistic galvanometer. During the subsequent years, he published many reports about his study of EEGs. And much of the modern understanding of the subject, especially in the frequencies of the middle.
Later on, G. Dietsch had applied the Fourier analysis to the records of EEG and became the first noted person for researching quantitative EEG. In the 1960s, neurofeedback was popularized by Joe Kamiya who focused on alpha brain waves.
This a very rough outline of what modern history notes as the roots of EEG, however, there is significantly more to the topic. Feel free to research on your own time, and discover more about the wonders of reading brainwaves.
Neurofeedback for ADHD
Neurofeedback for ADHD is also known as electroencephalogram biofeedback. It can help your child learn to have control over their brain activity, which will improve their concentration at work or school.
In the majority of people, concentrating helps speed up the activity in the brain. This leads to improvements. For children with ADHD, the opposite is true. If the child has ADHD, concentrating will leave them distracted and less efficient. That’s why the old adage of pay attention does not work.
Neurofeedback training can help your child encourage their brain to be more attentive when the time is right. During a session, the doctor will attach sensors to the head of your child. These sensors are connected to a machine and monitor, allowing your child to see their brain waves. Then the doctor will instruct them to focus on specific tasks. If the child can see how the brain functions in regards to different tasks, they might be able to gain control over it.
In fact, your child can use the feedback as a guide to understanding how their brain works when performing tasks or concentrating. During therapy, they can employ a variety of strategies to help them maintain focus, and see the direct result from the biofeedback.
Regular Treatment & ADHD
In premise, your child can learn to cope with ADHD by adopting behavioral changes that make life simple. Changes to the environment can greatly affect their ADHD symptoms, as well as levels of stimulation.
Your child might need targeted or stronger treatment in some cases. The doctor might prescribe stimulant medications, which are not the greatest thing, to be honest. For instance, they might prescribe dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate or something else to your child. These medications will certainly help, however, there are plenty of unwanted side-effects.
Thus, it’s important to speak to your doctor about the potential issues that might come up when treating your child’s ADHD with pharmaceuticals. The common issues are:
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
- Delayed growth
- Stunted growth
- Decreased appetite
In some cases, your child might develop an abnormal heartbeat. In any case, your doctor should be able to weigh the potential risks and benefits of treating their condition. They might recommend alternative treatment methodologies, in addition to or as a replacement for medication.
For instance, they might recommend neurofeedback, which you have already learned about prior.
Neurofeedback for Your Child
Now that you know what neurofeedback for ADHD is, and how it can help, you are well on your way to figuring out whether or not it’s the right treatment for your child. In any case, it’s best to speak to your doctor and learn more about it.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or simply learning more about neurofeedback, get in touch with us and we will happily accommodate your needs.
