Anybody try neurofeedback???

Yes, I've been receiving neurofeedback. I've had about 6 sessions now.

what is it???? maybe it could help me

Neurofeedback is a way of training your brainwaves to a more desireable pattern. Electric sensors are placed on your scalp, and they read your brainwaves and send them to the computer. You play a game by manipulating your brainwaves. Over the course of a number of sessions, your brain begins generating healthier patterns and maintains them - in theory. You can read more about it at www.eegspectrum.com (http://www.eegspectrum.com).

The rest of the post is about me. You can stop reading here if you don't care. ;-)

In my case, I started nf because of anxiety and suspected ADD. I was reading a book about ADD because of my son, and I thought, "You know, this sounds like me." My doc prescribed Adderall, and the change was immediate.

When I sat down with the nf practitioner, though, he said my brainwaves didn't look like those of a person with ADD. Nf isn't used as a diagnostic tool, but usually ADD people have a lot of theta waves (daydreamy-type waves) and little beta waves (mental focus). My theta waves and beta waves are right on the same level as they are with non-ADD people. But my high-beta are very high, reflecting my anxiety level. Also, my left frontal lobe is underactive.

So, I decided I didn't have ADD, but I went ahead with the nf for the anxiety. After each session, the doc would ask if I was feeling calmer, sleeping better. I didn't really notice much. Then after about the 3rd or 4th session, I suddenly started cleaning house - for no reason! No visitors expected. No workmen. Just 'cause.

Now, I'm a lousy housekeeper and always have been. I've always wanted a clean house, so I'm thrilled by this change. It was totally unexpected. I wasn't looking for it, but I'm really delighted. I hope I'll see more positive changes over time.

Then I saw a psychiatrist last week, and he says I do have ADD after all. He prescribed Adderall. I see my nf guy tomorrow, and I'll talk to him about that.

Research doesn't (currently) support neurofeedback as a clinical treatment for ADHD.

The problem has been and remains the need for long term (longitudinal) validity and reliability (does it measure what it says it does, and can it be replicated by outside observers (can they do the exact same research study and get the exact same results?) to be established over time.

I'm not attacking it (or anyone) or trying to put it down.

I'm merely stating the (current) accepted standard of research.

If that changes, then I post that as well.:)

I do have some personal/professional reservations ,however, it's not a huge issue for me.

Thanks for bring up an interesting topic.

tc
mctavish23 (Robert)

There is research that supports it. But for me the important thing is that it's helping me.

I'm talking about research OUTSIDE the companies/principal investigators,etc. involved.

I've read a number of articles supporting it; most recently, last week.

However,neurofeedback has NOT passed the "gold standard" of being replicated by outside observers and found to be both valid and reliable over time.

If it helps you, then that's wonderful.

At the present time, neurofeedback is not an accepted standard of practice for treating ADHD.

If that changes then I'm happy to report that as well.

Is Neurofeedback really a treatment for ADHD ?, I had taken my son aged 7, all the way from the middle east to an eeg institute in california to undergo the neurofeedback sessions but it did not prove effective ,justifying the cost of approx $5,500 , before I went there ,I had contacted them and they assured me that ,they have clients from all over the world and have very high success rate , but it did not prove to be effective in my sons case ,
may be others will have a different opinon.

Has anyone heard of Drake Institute ? or have any expereince with them

I got an EEG done to be diagnosed with AD/HD. At the Brainwave center.

As a permanant solution they recomend Neurofeedback.
I havent started Neurofeedback as yet...

Im doing my best to achieve the same results at home...

Im starting to feel clearer as a result