Neurofeedback: An ADHD Treatment That Retrains the Brain?

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I've used neurofeedback very successfully for depression and anxiety. Before I began, I asked for a bibliography of peer-reviewed literature about neurofeedback; read some of them; and read some books on the topic. I was satisfied that it would work, and it did - splendidly! After my brain "normalized," (learned to stay in the healthy wavelengths), I didn't need to return until several years later for a "tuneup." I especially appreciated not having the side effects from the anti-depressants I had used. My insurance (BC-CS) covered the treatment, subject to the deductible and copay.
My granddaughter showed all the signs of ADD, and was developing oppositional defiant disorder as well. When her mother changed jobs, and health insurers, treatment with my practitioner was finally covered. With treatment, there's a night-and-day difference in my granddaughter's behavior. She's much calmer, but still bubbly and interactive. She no longer throws horrible tantrums (throwing chairs, pulling curtains off the wall - you get the picture). And her school grades have improved dramatically, especially reading where she has a disability. Again, this is all without the side effects common with the drugs used for ADHD. And, there are no drug treatments for ODD.
Yes, it can be time-consuming going to multiple appointments, and the copays add up. As a 15-year teacher, I'm not rich. But I will gladly do without other things to pay for neurofeedback.

Nana of NE 7:15PM October 11, 2010

My daughter had seizures, not ADHD, however we did neurofeedback training and it is one of the reasons we are seeing a major reduction in seizure activity. The benefit to the training was more focus and improvement in notetaking in her studies. I highly recommend neurofeedback, with a reputable practitioner. I wish it had been offered prior to medication for my daughter at the age of 14. She lost two years out of her life while trying different meds, and it has been neurofeedback and nutrition that has allowed her to remain seizure free, and med free.

Robin Neudorfer of CA 12:31AM September 26, 2010

We have a 7 year old son in neurofeedback at this time and are very happy with his progress and quite comfortable with the level of evidence in the literature. I develop drugs for a living and my wife is a physician, so suffice to say we are equally comfortable with drug therapies where appropriate - this approach simply has a number of advantages and is worth exploring. Insurance companies do not reimburse at this time. No need to bash them for conspiratorial alliances; it's a new field and the evidence isn't quite there yet. I had a long chat with my insurance company and the best approach to changing their policies is to submit a query/challenge to their not reimbursing the treatment with letters, journal articles, etc. to support your claim. You probably will not be successful, but this practice will encourage them to initiate an independent review to influence future reimbursement polices. If you've had success with the treatment, please follow up with your insurance company and let them know.
There are a lot of good people working in the field, including those developing or testing effective drug therapies that are a lifesaver to children and their parents. A research physician with financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry only means that they have run clinical studies or conducted research on a promising therapy, perhaps sponsored by the company. In most cases, these researchers will be more up to date with new therapies, treatments and cutting-edge science and to dismiss their conclusions as being influenced unduly by the drug industry would be a mistake.

Informed Parent of MT 3:11PM August 20, 2010

I am wondering if at 47 this would help me? I am willing if I can be a study as I do not have the funds to participate.

Angie Avery of GA 12:15AM August 10, 2010

Good article.
I wrote a whole book about this that can be downloaded for $7.77 from http://www.NeurofeedbackBook.com
The book is 168 pages and includes four actual case studies.

Dr. Clare Albright, Psy.D. of CA 8:15PM July 10, 2010

As I have read the two above testimonials, I also sit w/ reserved optimism. I am trying so hard to not set myself up for yet another let down. My son is 13 and we have tried nearly every medication out there. We have also tried therapy, but haven't had much luck with that. He is pretty much miserable. He is sooo smart, but hates school so much he is trying to get himself kicked out so he doesn't have to go. We are running out of options since the next step will be special education or off site schooling. That's when we found EEG Biofeedback. We have only had 3 sessions, but he seems calmer. Still having problems in some of his classes at school, but at home he has a more calm demeanor about himself. It isn't a lot, but it is a change and I am looking forward to what the next few sessions have in store for us. I am still trying to keep my optimism in check, but maybe we have found out miracle

Colleen of WI 11:07AM March 22, 2010

Excelente, necesito para mi fibromialgia,pero que no sea caro

grettel Gonzàlez B. 5:28PM March 18, 2010

Yes, I didn't think the author's description was accurate either. I've done biofeedback and my daughter is doing it right now. Our physician had an excellent way of describing neurofeedback. My daughter and I immediately latched on to her analogy; It's like learning to ride a bike.
When my daughter was set up to do her first session, she asked the Doctor what to do and the Doctor simply answered, "relax, stay calm and let the game do what you want it to do". My daughter asked, "how do you do that?" The Doctor said, "you'll know when you do it". She further explained that when you get on a bike, no one can give you instructions on how to balance. You just try a little at a time, with a 'can do' attitude. You're teaching your body to be in a state that it hasn't been in before simply by putting it in a position to be in that state.

Chrissy of CA 8:25PM March 09, 2010

My son completed his seventh neurofeedback treatment last week. We hadnt noticed any positive improvement yet. In fact, he appeared to be overstimulated by it (which can happen we're told.) However, the following two days after the seventh treatment our son's behavior was the calmest I've ever seen. He behaved like an unimpaired child. That behavior tapered back to business as usual over 48 hours but it was a significant enough response to give us cautious optimism. We were also told it can take ten or more treatments before there are any noticeable differences, that clinically significant responses are indeed temporary at first yet cumulative, and were warned from the beginning it could be a long process. Additionally, we were informed approximately 20% of patients never respond at all to neurofeedback therapy but this would be apparent after 10 treatments or so. That knowledge made it easier to enter into treatment without blindly investing in 60+ sessions. Medications and traditional behavior modification therapy have only marginally helped control his attention and impulsivity. Now we have observed a response which MAY indicate neurofeedback will help him. External pressures and situations can also be affecting the change so we'll need to see repeated positive improvements following therapy to say it's definitive. We haven't bought this therapy hook, line and sinker yet but it IS showing promise early on. All things considered, I have never seen my 12 year old son more in control of himself for almost two days straight. However, the potential for further benefit certainly has MY full attention.

Alisa Rowe Kenney of FL 1:17PM March 05, 2010

I am thinking about providing neurofeedback for my psychotherapy clients - folks with depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADD, and anxiety disorders.
I would love to hear from people who have had success with this method.
Thanks,
Tina Felluss, LCSW

Tina Felluss of NY 11:45AM February 28, 2010