UNDERSTANDING NEUROFEEDBACK: PART ONE

At any moment, certain areas of the brain are more active than others. For instance, if we are looking at something, the visual part of the brain becomes more active. When we talk, other areas shift into high gear. Our brain waves consist of several types, or frequencies, that can be read by a trained individual with an EEG machine. An EEG is like an EKG for your heart, except for the fact that it only monitors brain activity. Neither an EKG nor EEG does anything to you: they simply measure and record the information.

BRAIN WAVES

Each type of brain wave reflects what type of activity the brain, and consequently, the person, is experiencing. Brain waves are sort of like your heart beat. If your heart is going really hard and fast, you get several beats per minute. If it is resting, then the pulse is slower. Something similar happens in the brain. The electrical activity increases when your brain is more active and slower when it is more relaxed. So, a skilled person can determine from EEG records whether the person is asleep, dreaming, awake or excited. Abnormalities in the EEG may also suggest the presence of epilepsy, a tumor, or other problems such as attention deficit disorder.

WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS CAN WE USE IT FOR?

Many problems can be treated using Neurofeedback. As stated above, Neurofeedback reflects back to us what is going on in the brain. The fascinating thing is that we can learn to control and change our brain waves through the use of sophisticated equipment. Over a number of sessions we can learn to manage attention deficit problems, stress, anxiety, pain, depression, migraines, to name a few.

While Neurofeedback is a powerful tool, often it must be used in conjunction with psychotherapy or medication to achieve the best results. It is not a magic bullet that can cure everything that ails us and may not be as effective if we don't change some of our thinking or behaviors.

All medications carry with them side effects. Some are therapeutic, and/or tolerable, but many can be very difficult to live with. One of the advantages in the use of Neurofeedback is that any unwanted side effects are easily reversible within the same treatment session. We rarely see negative side effects with Neurofeedback. More often, patients report positive side effects: that their sleeping patterns are improved or their psychotherapy becomes more effective. It not only seems to be highly impressive in treating certain problems but is safe as well.

Don't get me wrong, I believe very strongly in medications. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for modern science.

WHAT WILL THIS COST ME?

While it is safe, this treatment is not cheap, with sessions costing $100 or more. After evaluation and 20 to 40 sessions, it can cost between $2000 to $4000. And even though it can be less than the cost of doctor's visits and medications, insurance companies may do not cover it.

You have to consider the benefits. If it enables people to function better, then it is worth it. The good thing is, Neurofeedback appears to make permanent and positive changes in brain activity. Long term studies and my personal experience with patients over the years would indicate that the effects can last a lifetime. (For instance, a student with ADHD, organizational skills problems and executive functioning deficits whom I trained several years ago, just graduated top of his class in college and is going on for his doctorate. Not bad, right?)