If you have impulse control issues, you may want to try neurofeedback for ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is very challenging to live with. Symptoms such as oversharing and interrupting are impulse control issues that are common signs of ADHD. It impacts your work and academic performance, as well as interpersonal relationships. It can really affect your daily functioning.
Impulse Control and ADHD
Impulse control refers to an inability to think before you act. You can’t control your impulse to do something, such as interrupt, because the thinking, executive function area of the brain is off-line.
This part of the brain is called the frontal cortex, where your forehead is. If your frontal cortex is working at its best, you can think something through before you act on it.
When you have ADHD, you experience inattentive symptoms such an inability to pay attention to detail, resulting in potentially embarrassing mistakes at work, school, home and in social situations. Blurting things out, without thinking, can lead to social difficulties.
When you are easily distracted, this results in an inability to finish tasks. This is a real problem when you have deadlines to meet. It also leads to misplacing or losing things like your keys or cell phone. You can wind up avoiding activities that require attention and focus.
If you have the hyperactivity version of Attention Deficit Disorder, you might fidget, and have a hard time sitting still. Hyperactivity can also cause you to talk excessively, without realizing that you might be saying something inappropriate or talking too much.
Depression and Anxiety
After awhile, you can get anxious to the point where you avoid social situations, which can then cause depression. It can be hard to trust yourself to react in a way the serves you. This can really affect your self worth, personality and identity.
Isolating yourself is not a happy solution. ADHD can cause conflicts with colleagues, family and friends, which can lead to social marginalization.
Medication
The main treatment for ADHD is still psycho-stimulant drugs. Either methylphenidate, such as Ritalin or Concerta, or amphetamines such as Adderall and Vyvance. Both of these drug types stimulate the frontal lobe, which is under active. It brings the frontal lobe back online and makes it much easier to focus, pay attention and control your impulses.
For some people, the benefits of stimulants are limited due to side effects. These include decreased appetite, which can lead to slowing of growth in children, headache, insomnia, irritability, anger and an increase in anxiety and agitation.
Neurofeedback for ADHD
Neurofeedback for ADHD is a non-pharmacological treatment that uses brain waves to improve symptoms. It is biofeedback for the brain. The general term Biofeedback refers to the process of learning how to change your own physiological activity using real-time monitoring of biological data like breathing rates, muscle activity, and heart function.
Neurofeedback is computer-based brain training which increases self-regulation and resiliency. If you are on a stimulant drug, you don’t have to stop it. After neurofeedback, you can cut back or discontinue medication, as needed. We can discuss this with your doctor.
Neurofeedback for ADHD works with the neuroplasticity of the brain. This refers to how the brain is malleable and that with regular practice, using neurofeedback, you can change your brainwave activity. Over time, neurofeedback helps you have stronger attention and self-control.
It is a non-invasive process we do together that rewires your brain and helps your nervous system calm down. It works with your brain’s waves to help your brain build new neural pathways.
This “new” response to stress is what causes you to be more resilient in the face of life’s ups and downs. When you have ADHD, this can be a game changer.
Self Regulation and Neurofeedback For ADHD
Neurofeedback for ADHD improves self regulation, which is your ability to manage your own reactions and feelings in response to what is happening around you.
This process of self regulation is not under your conscious, direct control. Over time, neurofeedback allows your brain to be less reactive and gives you more time to think. This is very empowering. You will start to feel more in control and like you can manage your daily life.
As you start to feel happier, less depressed or anxious, and more empowered, decision-making and impulse control starts to improve and you can make the changes that will lead to a better life. This improves self esteem.
As Neurofeedback for ADHD. progresses, your new, optimal state may help you have renewed insight into yourself and others. During our sessions, we can discuss what comes up for you.
What Happens During Neurofeedback for ADHD
I apply four sensors to your scalp to detect the brainwave activity. Nothing goes into the brain. Instead, the brainwaves are reflected back to you using a computer monitor which displays a video game, a nature hike, or even just ocean waves moving in and out at the beach.
The human brain learns from the signal. I work with you to determine the best place to put the sensors and what brain wave frequency feels the best. You tell me what you need help with, and I plan the neurofeedback session based on your personal and family history and patterns of disregulation.
We Work Together, Clinician and Client
I optimize the brain training, depending on your reaction to the training. I can add things as we need to target other patterns of disregulation. Neurofeedback is a very collaborative process. The more you can report what you’re noticing, the more I can use that information to perfect the brain training.
It’s my job to turn what you’re reporting into refining the training protocol. It typically takes four or five sessions to find the correct brain wave frequency, and then we can make further refinements as time goes on. I continue to optimize the training parameters on the basis of your reaction to the training.
Your brain needs to be engaged through as many of your senses as possible. Neurofeedback protocols engage the brain through auditory feedback such as music. We use many interesting visuals and even a vibrating stuffed animal that provides touch feedback to engage your brain.
Our work with Neurofeedback encourages your brain to produce resting state brain waves. These waves calm and relax your nervous system and return your brain to a more resilient and regulated state. I use your symptoms to help me understand how your nervous system is disregulated and where to pay attention based on your reports of what’s going on in your life.
If you’d like to try neurofeedback, please get in touch with me. I have offices in Torrance and Santa Monica. Call or text at 319-314-6933 or email mindy@mftherapy.com.
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