For those who have heard neurofeedback for the first time, it can be overwhelming. But we have tried to gather some basic information about neurofeedback to make it easier for you to understand. In medical terms, neurofeedback is often prescribed as electroencephalography (EEG). It is a non-invasive way for controlling and measuring your brainwaves and body temperature. When brain waves are not balanced, the body can suffer from different mental health conditions. These conditions include depression, concussions, anxiety, ADHD, and similar.
Neurofeedback, as the name implies, is a brain training therapy. The target is to encourage healthy brainwave patterns. This therapy is designed widely for kids who face trouble paying attention during studies, calming down, and falling asleep. It helps the brain to function more effectively. Neurofeedback has been a subject of study for a very long time. According to this therapy, the patients under treatment can influence their brainwaves consciously. Autistic children can improve their social skills, communication, and focus with the help of this therapy.
Neurofeedback for children
Psychologists, mental health experts, or professional therapists are the most common providers of neurofeedback therapy. The neurofeedback practitioner examines the data and enters a training goal into the computer. It then runs a videogame for the patient to play. Children’s brains more actively absorb new things around them. However, suppose it has trouble being automated. In that case, it will show up in several ways in the attitudes and behaviors of children. Counselors can supplement treatment by instructing the kids through neurocounseling approaches to address behavioral and psychological issues.
Various elements, such as social, familial, environmental, and genetics, impact a child’s brain. As soon as you perceive the problem, it is significant to intervene in various ways so that the brain learns to adapt and repattern dysfunctional brain waves patterns. Working with young brains yields faster outcomes.
Benefits of Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback has a wide range of advantages because it directly involves the brain. It does not require any specific medication and has long-term positive outcomes. Some of the benefits are listed below:
Improved academics:
Students of all ages can benefit from neurofeedback. Children with learning difficulties, ADHD, autism, and behavioral issues can help improve their symptoms. Neurofeedback strengthens the parts of the brain involved for focus and concentration. It results in better academic performance and improved self-confidence. These children tend to participate in more in-class activities and score better grades than before. Students develop strong motivation for learning and concentration in their studies to strive for a better future.
Neurofeedback boosts the ability of the brain to focus for a long time. It has a direct impact on how much information is processed by the brain during a class session. Because it minimizes distraction, neurofeedback has a positive effect on students with ADHD.
Decreases anxiety:
Anxiety is a stress response. People who suffer from acute anxiety are emotionally distressed, which causes exhaustion and insomnia. Anxious people have negative thoughts about different things. Living in a constant state of anxiety can cause your brain cells to over-activate. It keeps the brain in the continuous state of fight or flight, making you more likely to remember and hold onto unpleasant memories. The brain detects this overreaction with the help of neurofeedback. Consequently, neurofeedback helps the brain to relax.
The EEG graphs demonstrate that anxious patients have a higher right frontal cortex than non-anxious patients during the therapy. The training results in a considerably improved and sustained connection between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. The therapy, therefore, aids the communication networks by optimizing brain pathways.
Behavioral self-control:
We don’t feel the same all the time. We must learn to regulate our different states based on the demands of the environment. Neurofeedback helps with adaptation difficulties and provides self-control in stressful and anxious situations. The goal of the sessions is to teach the brain to work more peacefully and productively. Tantrums and negative behavior in kids are less likely to occur if the child’s brain has easily interpreted the information.
As evaluated by EEG frequency components and MRI, NFT is capable of changing brain activity. NFT has benefited in the treatment of children who have developmental trauma and early childhood abuse. When the mind gets positive feedback, the stimulation occurs more frequently in the left frontal lobe, which improves mood and behavior.
Boost Self Esteem
Children who tend to experience low self-esteem, blame themselves for minor things, and feel guilty have Major Depressive Disorder. It is due to low connectivity in the temporal regions and cingulate regions of the brain. Neurofeedback practitioners target these areas of the brain and enhance their connectivity. Resultantly, the kids who went through the therapy had an increased self-confidence and self-esteem.
Low self-esteem in children can lead to no participation in different activities and poor communication skills. Self-blame and low confidence may be precursors to depression and anxiety in kids. Parents should immediately seek expert advice or medical help when they see such symptoms.
Improves Sleep
Insomnia and sleep disorders can effectively get treated through neurofeedback therapy. Sleep deprivation occurs due to circadian phase delay. For individuals who have seen several medical experts for insomnia, neurofeedback has resulted in positive outcomes. By creating healthier patterns, the therapy enables the brain to improve sleep surprisingly quickly. A qualified neurofeedback therapist can assist in determining the brain regulating technologies appropriate for the patient.
Neurofeedback tends to normalize sleep by training brain patterns to fluctuate brain activity according to the need. Sleep is a complex activity. For a vast number of clients, doctors say they expect changes in sleep habits after suitable training.
Restores the mental health
Brains become stuck in neuronal pathways, preventing them from performing at their best. Neurofeedback allows a therapist to track electrical activity and actual communication across the brain areas. NFT maintains homeostasis through auto-regulation, which aids in the improvement of psychosocial and cognitive processes through relaxation. The kid’s brain learns new and healthier patterns of brainwave generation as the training advances.
Thus slowly and gradually the mental health is restored through this therapy. Having no side effects like those of other antidepressants is the best part of the treatment. Psychologically healthy children are better able to engage in academic endeavors, focus better, and socialize successfully.
Final Words
The neurofeedback-induced alterations in the brain are long-lasting and irreversible. The brain will grow more adept at achieving and maintaining the ideal state while avoiding unwilling brain activity. Neurofeedback, therefore, is a genuine corrective therapy. Assessing and treating the child for any medical issue is mandatory before you consider having neurofeedback for them. Choose a certified neurofeedback therapist who has expertise in treating different mental symptoms and relates well to your kid.
