Recent estimates note that major depressive disorder affects around 17 million people in the United States alone. This equates to just over 7% of the adult population. Depression is usually treated with a mix of medication, counseling, and lifestyle modifications. But even with those treatments, some people experience significant difficulty managing their symptoms.
If you’re one of these folks, you may want to consider leveraging neurofeedback for depression. It’s an all-natural, alternative treatment that addresses the source of the problem rather than just managing the symptoms of your depression.
How Does Neurofeedback Work?
Neurofeedback is a sort of training that corrects imbalances in the brain. EEG technology is used in neurofeedback to assess electrical activity in the brain and deliver real-time feedback on brainwave frequencies. Through this process, your brain learns how to work more optimally and keep brainwave frequencies within normal ranges by using a positive incentive system.
The human brain is made up of billions of neurons that continuously communicate with one another via electrical signals. All of your emotions, ideas, and behaviors are directly caused by this impressive neural network.
Neurons communicate by creating electrical pulses, which form wave-like patterns (i.e., your brainwaves). There are five distinct types of brainwaves and each of them moves at a different rate (Scientific American). Depending on what you’re doing, your brainwaves will alter throughout the day. Delta waves, for example, are the slowest moving brainwaves and are most common when you’re sleeping deeply and dreamlessly.
Beta waves, on the other hand, are in charge of keeping you aware, engaged, and motivated. Your alpha waves also aid in keeping you in a relaxed state and feeling at ease. Many people who suffer from depression don’t create enough beta or alpha waves. This is something that neurofeedback can help with.
How Neurofeedback Can Help with Depression
By using a qEEG brain map, which pinpoints parts of your brain that are out of balance or performing poorly. This will aid in the creation of a customized treatment plan.
During a treatment session, you will be given real-time feedback on your brainwave frequencies and will be notified if they fall out of optimal ranges.
When your brain is functioning properly, you will be given a positive reward to reinforce that brainwave pattern. And when your brainwaves are not performing optimally, that reward will be taken away. These are known as neurofeedback ‘loops.’
Over time, you’ll get better at keeping your brainwaves within optimal levels. It will eventually become second nature to you, and you will experience long-term relief from your depression.
To top it all off, this drug-free, all-natural treatment does not have any negative side effects, unlike antidepressant medications. In fact, some people find EEG biofeedback to be so effective that it allows them to reduce or even eliminate their depression medications.
Note: Talk to your doctor before considering alternative or supplemental treatments for existing conditions.
Neurofeedback Therapy at NHA
Here at Neurohealth Associates, we specialize in Neurofeedback treatments. Neurofeedback may be helpful for treating ADHD symptoms, especially if you are unsure about putting yourself or your child on medication. The easy, noninvasive treatments can painlessly improve your mental health condition and outlook on life. Schedule a consultation with NeuroHealth today and find out how we can help you.
Sources
Clinical Trials (dot gov)
