Saturday, April 23, 2011

How Neurofeedback Depression Actually Works

By Janine Hester


Neurofeedback depression is a type of biofeedback and is used in monitoring depression in a person. Central brain activity is controlled and in this case there is an emphasis on depression. Electroencephalography is the placing of receptors on the scalp in order to observe brain wave activity, which is how neurofeedback works.

This will allow the user to learn in real time what is going on within the brain, which gives a better chance of being able to allay a problem. There are many receptors used, giving an overview of different parts of the brain as well as different kinds of brainwaves. After this, the average frequency is shown for each spot on the brain map that is produced showing the results.

This brain map is then measured and compared with entries from a database that match the sex and age of the individual. It is thought that there is a neurophysiological basis in many depressive cases. For those who have a family history, this is thought to be true in particular.

For these people that have this genetic predisposition, a brain-wave pattern has been found, even in those who do not actually suffer from depression, even children as young as babies. This pattern can be observed by monitoring activity in various parts of the brain that are linked with different behaviors and traits.

The right frontal lobe is associated with fear and depression, and the left frontal lobe is that which is associated with social needs and positive emotions. The urges that the right frontal lobe triggers are the opposite to the left side, which means a need to withdraw and to be anxious both around others and alone.

Slow brain activity in the left side also indicates that the right side is more dominant which, therefore, means that this person will be far more anxious and will be more likely to become depressed. It is considered that for many people, anti-depressants may have a limited effect, which may offer some relief but not as much as might be liked.

The underlying brainwaves can be altered by the use of neurofeedback, in this case the slow activity in the left frontal lobe, which will hopefully mean that the brainwaves can be made to even out a little more. For many, this might work to bring more relief to depression.

neurofeedback depression




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