The short answer? Just about anyone. Still, there are specific problems in which neurofeedback has proven to be especially helpful in improving. Here are a few:

                                                                                                                                      

How Does it work?

What does a session involve?

Your first session will be used to gather information about symptioms, a family history, a health history and discussing goals you want to accomplish. If Neurofeedback seems to be a great fit for you, then your first session could be at that time.

Your brain releases electrical impulses to your body. These impulses are different according to locations and functions within the brain. You release these impulses according to the needs of the body's activites. Sleep creates a different brain wave impulse frequency than exercising. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a painless procedure done by attaching sensors to selected places on you scalp and on one ear. This allows the therapist to monitor and evaluate these electrical impulses your brain relaeases. By evaluating the output of the brain wave frequency and giving appropriate feedback, the brain can make changes to better function at it's optimal level. Feedback by the therapist influences the frequency of impulses and helps the brain become better regulated. Since sleep, emotions or behavior are regulated by the brain, improvements are generally seen after training. If Neurofeedback is a good match for your persnal difficulties, you can get started on training during your first session.

Training sessions involve watching a video game on a computer monitor and listening to different visual and/or auditory feedback signals. When you give the brain information about itself, it has an enormous capacity for change. Neurofeedback makes the information available to the brain almost instantly, and asks it to make adjustments. This gives the brain a greater ability to self-manage or regulate. The therapist tracks client's progress and makes training adjustments accordingly. Soon your brain will learn to respond to the cues given by the computer. All the while you relax and let the worries of the day dissipate.

How does it feel?

This is a the big question everyone wants to know. Clients often report a feeling of "peace" or calm and relaxation during the sessions. There's even better news, though. As you retrain your brain to function optimally you will begin to experience these same feelings consistently within your day to day life. The general effect of the training is better brain regulation. As your brain responds with its improved performance, negative symptoms are progressively reduced.

How long does training last?

Your first session includes an intake to gather the appropriate information and possibly your first Neurofeedback session. This first session could last as long as two hours. Each succeeding session will last approximately 45 minutes. Noticeable results typically occur between the first and tenth session. The goal is to complete enough training to insure consistent and lasting benefits. Like piano lessons, a lot of practice is needed for it to stick. The brain is learning a new pattern of impulses, a lack in consisitency in training will often cause treatment failures. Initially three sessions a week are recommended, to optimize training capacity. The brain needs inital consistent reinforcements to reach the accomplish target. In a short 6-8 weeks to achieve life altering rewards.

With regard to how long training in general lasts, every individual who comes in to benefit from Neurofeedback is different. The length of training for each person depends upon several factors, the number of different symptoms, the severity of symptoms, and the pace at which his/her brain responds. However, once the brain has "gotten it," the intensive traing is seldom needed again to reach optimum performance. The brain is devoted toits own regulation and once it learns how to do so, it tends to retain the imprinted information. Certain problems, such as brain injury, Autism, Tourettes's, improvements. This could include a weekly session or a monthly session, or just in times of stresss. Each individual is very different and even though two could have the same disorder it does not mean thatheach individual brain will respond the identical way, or even maintain the training in similar ways. Occasional "tune-ups" can work quite well for some. Still, you and your therapist can decide on a recommended number of sessions for optimal training effectiveness. In general, 20 sessions are of 6-8 weeks to achieve life altering rewards.

In addition, after your initial training is completed it's good to know that you can still turn to Neurofeedback to support you through life's stressful situations. Booster sessions are available as needed to keep your brain functioning at its peak. In a few short weeks you can develop changes that can last a lifetime. This will take a great commitment from you, but you are worth it.

Who can do Neurofeedback?

Almost anyone. Neurofeedback has been successful from infants to the elderly. It will even help those who are currently taking medication for their difficulty. You may find that after several Neurofeedback sessions you may need to decrease your medication. It is always recommended that one consult with thier physcian first. A child who has ADHD,impulsivity, distractibility, may respond to the training. This my lead to a greater successful school performance. In the case of depression, there can be a gradual recovery of "affect", or emotional responsiveness and a reduction of effort fatigue. In the case of anxiety and panic attacks, there is gradual improvement in regulation with a drop-off in frequency and severity of anxiety episodes and panic attacks until the condition normalizes.

Why does this training procedure work?

The brain is amazingly adaptable, and capable of learning. It can also learn to improve its own performance, if it is given cues about what to change. By making information available to the brain about how it is functioning, and asking it to make adjustments, it can do so. When the mature brain is doing a good job of regulating itself, and the person is alert and attentive, the brain waves (EEG) show a particular pattern. We challenge the person to maintain this "high-performance", alert and attentive state. Gradually, the brain learns, just like it learns anything else. With other types of learning, the brain tends to retain this new skill. It is similar to remembering how to ride a bike even though you have not been on a bike for years, or remembering how to swim even though you have not gone swimming in a long time.