Depression creeps in like a thief when you least expect it. You can be happy and content one minute and be in the depths of despair the next. Anxiety can cripple you, separating you from family and friends. Concentration issues can cause problems for you at work or school.
Your neurological and mental health are so important and all too often problems get shoved to the backburner.
You don’t have to live with the symptoms of depression or anxiety.
And you shouldn’t have to. We have a treatment that works.
The depression and anxiety epidemic.
Depression, anxiety, and concentration issues are a global problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at some point in their lives, one in four people will experience neurological or mental disorders. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent.
Depressive disorders are among the top five of the global disease burden. Pressure stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem, catapulting depression and anxiety from its number four spot in the early 2000s to number two in 2020. It comes just behind ischemic heart disease.
A study published in September 2020, found that the prevalence of depression symptoms was more than three times higher than they were in 2018.
Traditionally, the treatment is to prescribe medication, often more than one type to treat various symptoms as well as side effects. It is not uncommon for a person to have a medication for depression, another for anxiety, and yet another for sleep. Many take even more.
These medications usually have unpleasant side effects which can include sleep disturbance, nausea, sexual dysfunction, mood changes, diarrhea, and headaches. For some people, the side effects are worse than the disorder itself.
Neurofeedback for depression and anxiety symptoms.
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive option for many neurological and mental disorders. During a session, the patient’s brain waves are monitored via several electrodes placed on the head and connected to a computer. All the information is recorded and observed in real time so that the technician can guide the treatment for optimal benefit.
The patient is exposed to specific information that is designed to produce changes in the brain wave activity. This is called operant conditioning. It is a method that rewards the patient for positive behavior, thus increasing the capacity for learning.
When administered by a trained professional on a regular basis, neurofeedback is a very effective way to relieve symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, attention issues, and other neurological challenges. It is not an overnight or immediate cure. Just like any therapy or treatment, it is a process that takes time because the brain is actually learning new behaviors, habits, and responses. This is not immediate and will vary from person to person. Some will see changes quickly while others may take a few sessions. However, once the patient is doing better and experiencing fewer symptoms they can usually back off of the frequency of treatments, sometimes stopping them altogether.
Research shows that conditions such as anxiety, addiction, seizures, depression, chronic pain, brain injury, ADHD, migraines, and more can benefit from neurofeedback. Many of the subjects in the studies reported a decrease in their symptoms and overall dramatic improvement in their conditions.
If you are struggling unwanted or ruminating thoughts or are having difficulty with concentration, you don’t have to live with it, we can help. Call or schedule a brain map online to learn more about neurofeedback. We’re here to help.
*Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback does not diagnose medical conditions. Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback is a nonmedical, medication-free program for children and adults who struggle.