Treating ADHD without Medication
By Zara Dureno, MOT, Occupational Therapist
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become an increasingly popular subject of interest as more people (adults and children) are being diagnosed with it. There are many effective medications which can aid in reducing deficits associated with ADHD, such as paying attention, staying on task, zoning out or excessive movement. However, sometimes these medications come with unpleasant side effects and may not be the best choice for everyone. Thankfully, there is a non-pharmacological way to help address these ADHD–related deficits: neurofeedback.
Neurofeedback was developed in the 1970s to treat ADHD. We learned that you could control things we previously thought were automatic in the body, such as heart rate and brainwaves, if you created a feedback loop. By using a device which helps you visualize your brainwaves in real time, your brain can learn to alter them. ADHD presents with a classic pattern of brain waves being either too slow or too fast in certain areas of the brain, and with the help of neurofeedback, you can alter them to be just right.
Neurofeedback technology is designed so that as your brainwaves perform closer to optimal brain function, you get more points in a game on your phone. Kind of like giving a dog a cookie every time it does something good, your brain learns to be in this optimal state more regularly. When the brain learns to manage its own waves to the right frequencies, many symptoms of ADHD are relieved. And thankfully, neurofeedback has very limited side effects.
Technology has advanced significantly over the years. While it used to be a giant machine in an office, neurofeedback is now a small device you can use at home and change your brain from the comfort of your couch. Contact the Surrey Neuroplasticity Clinic today to learn more about how neurofeedback can help you manage your ADHD.