Neurofeedback was started to address her symptoms of depression and anxiety. Slowly, Roberta’s mood began to brighten. She began to smile more as she entered the sessions and her conversations increased. Gradually she began to happily talk about doing routine chores, sharing cooking tasks with her husband, and having more energy. She was sleeping more restfully, and was having fewer headaches. Her doctor was pleased with her improvement and began decreasing some of the medication. Not long after, Roberta became interested in finding a job. She wanted to become more helpful with the family budget.
Neurofeedback helps with depression and anxiety by a system that uses a feedback loop that rewards the brain for producing the more positive waves. The learning occurs when the brain produces more of the positive waves and less of the depression-related waves.
Gradually, the brain continues to produce the positive waves over longer periods of time, and the relief becomes more permanent. Once learning has occurred, the training can be gradually withdrawn as the brain continues to increase its engagement with the more positive waves. The training lasts indefinitely, and medication is often reduced or eliminated.