Neurofeedback for PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges
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Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States deals with mental illness with around 20% of children in the country being diagnosed with a mental illness each year. For families dealing with the effects of mental illness, neurofeedback's non-invasive approach can be much more appealing and accessible than harsh chemical treatments or other types of therapy.
Read on to learn about how neurofeedback therapy (a type of biofeedback therapy) can help treat various mental health disorders and issues.
Suggested read: Ohana Neurofeedback was founded because of the mental health struggles we faced within our family. Read our story to learn how NeurOptimal neurofeedback helped our household heal from the trauma of chronic illness, misdiagnoses, and other mental health challenges.
Is neurofeedback effective?
Many families struggle to find treatment options that don't come with severe side effects or high price tags attached. This is where non-invasive methods such as neurofeedback therapy can help.
Neurofeedback machines use sensors to track the electrical activity in a patient's brain. Depending on the system used, patients can then use this as a tool for gaining conscious or unconscious control of their brain waves and learning to use healthier patterns of brain activity. This can lead to a reduction in symptoms and improvement of overall nervous system health.
As mental health treatment center Compassion Behavioral Health states, "While medication is a viable and practical choice for many, it often treats the symptoms and doesn’t correct the root of the issue, which lies within the brain. Neurofeedback is a drug-free treatment, but it’s been found to be most effective when used in conjunction with other treatments, such as individual and group therapy, and in many cases-medication." (Source)
Both critics and advocates of neurofeedback treatment say that more peer-reviewed studies are needed to conclusively determine how effective neurofeedback is as a tool for various mental health issues. However, numerous smaller studies have shown that the effects of neurofeedback therapy can be comparable to those of other types of therapy for issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.
Neurofeedback training is considered beneficial for a wide variety of symptoms related to:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety
Autism
Behavior issues
Chronic pain/illness
Depression
Family Conflict
Grief
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
PANS & PANDAS
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Insomnia
Stress
Self-esteem
Traumatic brain injury
Suggested read: Learn more about how neurofeedback therapy works in our recent blog post.
Neurofeedback as anxiety therapy
Chronic anxiety can feel like a never-ending cycle of worry and exhaustion. People who struggle with anxiety can feel controlled by an ever-present sense of fear and restlessness: like a sense of dread is always "in the drivers' seat" and they can't get control over how they feel. Unfortunately, this is the reality for a growing number of people.
According to the National Institute for Mental Health, "an estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives." Chronic anxiety is marked by long-term excessive worrying, fatigue, sleep issues, and more. Anxiety can also worsen the effects of other physical health conditions, such as cancer and IBS.
But the most notable effect of anxiety is how it affects your quality of life. As one article sums it up by saying, "anxiety sufferers tend to have repetitive, negative thoughts that make them feel like they're in a constant state of fear or dread."
Anxiety treatments
Typically, anxiety is treated using psychological treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Medications such as Zoloft and other antidepressants can often be prescribed as well. However, neurofeedback, either as an addition to current treatments or as a replacement, can offer a reduction of symptoms without the side effects typically associated with these medications.
Neurofeedback for anxiety
One study showed that through a combination of neurofeedback and heart rate variability training, 57% of people with severe anxiety and 45% of those with severe depression showed normal brain activity after 30 sessions. Imagine what that could mean for you or your family.
According to neurofeedback specialist Suruchi Chandra, many of her clients see results from consistent use of neurofeedback therapy. One such client stated, "My family and friends have always told me to stop worrying about everything, but this is the first time I feel like it is possible and I can stop worrying."
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Neurofeedback for depression
Although highly related to anxiety, the symptoms of depression feel very different. Instead of a hypersensitivity to fear, depression can feel numbing: a lack of sensitivity and drive. Symptoms can vary from fatigue and lack of motivation to suicidal ideation or dissociation. For those struggling with depression, feelings of hopelessness and lack of motivation are common.
Alongside anxiety, depression is one of the most pervasive mental illnesses in the world. The National Institiute for Mental Health once again has some pretty staggering statistics relating to depression. When commenting on data from 2020, they say, "an estimated 21.0 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 8.4% of all U.S. adults."
Both anxiety and depression, when left untreated, can actually change brain structure; in the case of depression, this can mean inflammation and malfunction of brain cells. While there are many different causes of depression, there seems to be a correlation between depression and an imbalance in the activity in the left and right frontal lobes of the brain. This imbalance is associated with symptoms like fatigue and lack of motivation.
Treating depression with neurofeedback
Neurofeedback therapy can help regulate this imbalance and help you retrain your brain to use more healthy brain wave patterns associated with attention and motivation.
One study found that for treatment-resistant participants with major depressive disorder, neurofeedback "may be effective as an augmentation treatment, not only for depressive symptoms, but also for functional recovery." Patients suffering from depressive disorders can start to see improvements in life through this non-invasive treatment.
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Neurofeedback for PTSD and trauma
In contrast to anxiety and depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is typically triggered by a severe traumatic event such as childhood abuse, violence, or extreme emotional stress. Those who suffer from PTSD often feel like they are not fully in the present. Instead, their brain may trigger flashbacks, anxiety, panic attacks, or nightmares relating to the traumatic event, even years after it has happened.
This can make patients feel as though their brain is working against them: placing them back in life-threatening situations instead of empowering them to feel safe in the present moment.
Treating PTSD
For some, talk therapy can help to reduce symptoms and make patients feel more at ease and in control. However, there are many deeper effects and biological changes that happen as a result of trauma, and these cannot always be influenced directly through talk therapy. According to integrative psychiatrist Dr. Suruchi Chandra, "40% of patients in the community with PTSD drop out from CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), the most recommended type of talk therapy for trauma."
Neurofeedback for PTSD and trauma
Instead, neurofeedback therapy can help to regulate the body's stress response, helping patients to regulate their emotions and feel safe in the present moment. Neurofeedback can retrain patients' brains to relax and calm hyperactive brain wave patterns.
Neurofeedback doesn't just help us teach our brains new ways of thinking to rebalance our brain waves, but it can also help individuals dealing with trauma to...
Increase self-confidence
Lessen feelings of guilt or shame
Overcome nightmares
Improve their overall mental health
Neurofeedback for ADHD
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by an inability to focus, control impulses, and stay organized. It is most commonly associated with children but can persist into adulthood as well.
Those who struggle with ADHD can feel easily distracted and unable to focus on tasks that require long periods of attentiveness. They can feel restless and disorganized, or they can be impulsive and have trouble staying still or following directions.
How ADHD is diagnosed
ADHD can be more difficult to diagnose in adults than in children. Typically, symptoms start before age 12.
While there is no single test for ADHD, typically a specialist will conduct a physical exam and collect information about the subject's lifestyle and other issues, as well as conducting psychological tests designed to look for ADHD symptoms.
ADHD treatments
Typically, ADHD is treated using medication, skills training, and/or psychotherapy. Unfortunately, these treatments work to manage symptoms instead of treating or curing the disorder entirely.
Neurofeedback for ADHD
ADHD is one of the most popular mental health conditions to be treated by neurofeedback. Studies have shown that neurofeedback can be as effective a treatment as medication in managing ADHD.
According to Cynthia Kerson, executive director of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, approximately 10,000 children are currently receiving neurofeedback treatment, with 75% - 80% receiving treatment for attention deficit conditions specifically.
For some patients using a combination of neurofeedback and medication to treat ADHD, one year of therapy helped to reduce their medication dosage by approximately 50 percent.
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Neurofeedback for autism
According to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 68 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a disorder which can make it difficult to function in everyday life. While autism can look different in each individual (and the disorder can occur in both children and adults), common symptoms include being overwhelmed by sensory stimuli, emotional outbursts, intolerance to change, and ritualistic or repetitive behaviors.
Treatments for ASD
Currently, there is no standard treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Instead, many therapies and programs exist to help minimize symptoms and empower those who have ASD to live more comfortable and happy lives. These therapies have been shown to have great impact, especially when applied early in life.
Current therapies include:
Behavioral management therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy
Educational and school-based therapies
Medication treatment
Nutritional therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech-language therapy
Neurofeedback for autism
A 2008 study showed that neurofeedback had an 89% success rate improving ASD symptoms. While this study only included 37 research subjects, the results are promising and suggest that neurofeedback could be effective at managing symptoms of ASD.
Neurofeedback and epilepsy
Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders with varying causes and symptoms. The disorders are commonly characterized by recurring seizures caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.
These seizures can cause patients to lose awareness of their surroundings, be unresponsive to communication, suddenly lose muscle strength, or even experience violent convulsions.
According to an article by the Center for Brain Training, an estimated 65-70 million people worldwide have epilepsy.
Epilepsy treatments
The most common treatment for epilepsy is anti-seizure or anti-epileptic medication. Early detection and diagnosis can mean that children with epilepsy can go on to eventually discontinue medication without experiencing further seizures. However, these medications can be difficult to prescribe and may take some experimentation in order to find the correct dosage and/or combination of medications. Side effects ranging from fatigue and dizziness to suicidal thoughts and inflammation can also occur when using drug treatments.
Neurofeedback and epilepsy
Since the 1960s, studies have been examining the effects of neurofeedback on epilepsy and seizures. In addition to making the brain more resistant to seizures, reducing the frequency and intensity of seizures, and shortening recovery time, neurofeedback has also been shown to be effective at correcting additional issues with memory and processing that can result from frequent seizures.
One study of 87 patients showed that 74% reported fewer seizures each week in response to neurofeedback therapy.
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Neurofeedback for migraines
Migraine is a common and debilitating disorder associated with extremely severe and recurring headaches. These migraine headaches are triggered by many things, such as light sensitivity, dehydration, and hormonal imbalances, severely impacting the quality of life for migraine sufferers. Symptoms can last for up to 72 hours and can include:
Severe pain
Vomiting or nausea
Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, and smell
Blurred vision or temporary vision loss
Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia
Speech problems
Treatment for migraines
While the standard treatment for migraines is drug therapy, many migraine sufferers have reported only temporary relief and the potential for unpleasant side effects.
Neurofeedback for migraines
A 2010 study of 37 migraine patients found that for those who combined medication therapy, neurofeedback, and handwarming biofeedback therapy, 70% experienced at least a 50% reduction in headaches. Meanwhile, only 50% of those who only used medication alone to treat migraines experienced that level of reduction. Researchers concluded, "These non-invasive interventions may show promise for treating treatment-refractory migraine and for preventing the progression from episodic to chronic migraine."
How to get started with neurofeedback therapy
No matter what you are struggling with in life — whether it's a mental health issue like anxiety or depression, or a neurological issue like epilepsy — neurofeedback may be able to offer you some relief.
To find a neurofeedback specialist near you, visit Psychology Today or contact us to learn about different options for pursuing neurofeedback therapy.
