Today, there are over 9 million people diagnosed with ADHD in the United States alone, making it one of the most common mental health disorders. While medication is often prescribed to treat symptoms associated with ADHD, many patients are looking for an alternative treatment for ADHD in Denver. Options like neurofeedback may help calm ADHD symptoms and improve concentration.
In fact, neurofeedback has been shown to be effective in helping people overcome challenges like ADD/ADHD, insomnia, and learning disabilities.
Neurofeedback Training: Can Help with Many Things
Neurofeedback therapy has been around since the 1960s. But it wasn’t until recently that we saw the emergence of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of neurotherapy in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Many people are familiar with neurofeedback therapy, during which feedback devices monitor brain activity while patients encounter various stimuli. There are many different types of neurofeedback therapies that use different forms of technology. Neurofeedback can be used to treat conditions like autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
Neurofeedback is an ideal therapy option for anyone looking to improve:
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Focus
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Clarity
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Memory
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Reduce hyperactivity
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Anxiety
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Impulsivity
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Or reactions to noises, sounds, and textures
This safe, medication-free solution that’s noninvasively administered can help diminish the need for medications altogether.
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback—the process of learning to change physiological activity using actual-time monitoring of biological information. Neurofeedback uses Electroencephalogram (EEG) technology to help patients train their minds to improve focus, impulse control, and executive function. EEG measures electrical activity in the brain via electrodes placed on the scalp.
Brain scans show that ADHD brains generate more low-frequency Delta or Theta brainwaves than neurotypical brains. Those individuals also tend to show fewer Beta waves, which are linked to focus and impulsivity.
The goal of neurofeedback training is customized to each individual and their mental health goals. For an individual with ADHD, the goal may likely be to raise the number of Beta waves and lower the number of Delta and Theta waves.
To achieve this, patients are given real-time feedback on the brainwaves they are producing during training sessions. Through operant conditioning, patients receive feedback and reinforcement to improve their brainwave patterns, even when distracted.
This is often achieved by having participants concentrate on stimuli presented on a screen, such as a picture of a smiling face, while simultaneously recording their brainwaves. Participants are shown what their brainwave patterns look like during each session, and they are asked to try to reproduce those patterns on their own. If they succeed, they move on to the next phase of their treatment plan.
Neurofeedback: Brain Training for ADHD Symptoms
Brain training programs are becoming increasingly popular. They’re designed to target specific parts of the brain that aren’t functioning optimally. Some people use brain training therapies to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Others claim it improves cognitive abilities, including memory and concentration.
The idea behind brain training is simple. Researchers believe that certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions and that learning exercises can make those areas stronger. For example, one area might be responsible for language processing, while another handles math skills. By strengthening the former, you could potentially increase your ability to process language faster and better.
Are You Ready to Discover an Alternative Treatment for ADHD in Denver Today?
If you are interested in learning more about neurofeedback and how it works as an alternative treatment for ADHD in Denver, contact Braincode Centers today!