Biofeedback Therapy for Depression: Is it Effective
Above 17 million people in the US suffer from a depressive disorder. Depression has several treatment options: counseling, some medication, lifestyle modification, and a mix of all. But even with that treatment, you only see signs of results for the time being, which escalates again later.
If you suffer from depression, or you know someone close to you going through the same. It is time for you to take action and don’t keep it untreated.
The condition can change your cognitive function and rational thinking, leading you to the dark. Leveraging EEG biofeedback therapy can treat depression, a natural alternative that addresses various stress problems. Let us learn more in detail.
BRAIN AND DEPRESSION
Your brain is made of billions of neurons; it tends to communicate continuously and through electrical signals. Your emotions, your ideas, and your behavior are all connected with the neural network.
Further, neurons communicate by creating electrical pulses that are waveforms, like your brainwaves. You will be surprised to know that a brain has five types of brainwaves, each having a different rate. And what you do, how you perform everything will affect brain waves, altering throughout the day.
The two most talked-about brain waves are alpha and beta. Here, alpha waves aid in keeping your body and mind in a relaxed state, feeling at ease. At the same time, beta waves hold the power to keep you motivated, engaged and aware, conscious.
NEUROFEEDBACK/ EEG BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY
It is a specific type of therapy under the umbrella term biofeedback therapy. It is a research-based and proven intervention aiming to enhance brain functions. With proper brain training, you can make the most of your health.
For example, when you are overactive, stressed, or anxious, you add depression to your life, and the brain cells become overactive. The brain, however, can learn to calm down if you receive the proper signal.
The electrical activity in the brain, for example, brain waves, can be measured as the sensors places on the head. Neurofeedback helps in treating the patient's brain and improving brain waves with computer technology. With neurofeedback, your brain gets rewarded for making the right action. In some cases, your reward can be watching your favorite movie, eating your favorite food, listening to a favorite song.
Anything that brings peace to your mind keeps you calm and positive is the reward. So as your brainwaves display that your brain is relaxed, you get a positive reward. And, in case the brainwaves are moving in a different direction, the reward then goes the other way.
It is how your brain can learn the behavior and only adopt positive rewards. So one of the benefits of brainwaves is to give the brain the ability to alter and feel positive.
How does EEG Biofeedback work?
The brain expects naturally to be in a neutral position. It is because the balanced position helps the brain to manage thoughts and emotions. Also, organize our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Negativity, however, is something we all experience and are bound to feel at times.
A state like anxiety and depression affects how we think and act and behave in a particular manner. It occurs due to the unbalanced pattern in our brain. The longer we stay and allow it to occupy us, the harder it gets to get out of it.
EEG biofeedback is a simple yet effective medication-free technique. It is capable of breaking the cycle of thought and allowing the brain to switch back to normal. In addition, your practitioner can train the left frontal lobe to get active, creating positivity.
CONCLUSION
Now that you are aware of how EEF biofeedback can be effective in depression. It will be great to look out for a professional ready to help you with the therapy. Find one at Advantage health systems a directory to help you get the best therapist near you. Do a little research, read excellent articles on biofeedback, and seek treatment! So, what are you waiting for? Do you search now and land the right therapist for you?
