Eight sessions of neurofeedback have eliminated my chronic bouts of prolonged fight or flight. This was a lingering but significant challenge after focusing on healing from profound grief. I was desperate to find a permanent solution for my poorly performing nervous system because I noticed anxiety affecting my physical health. After neurofeedback, I feel like I used to before my overactive stress response had an unnecessary negative effect on my well-being.
Even though my mind knew my body was not performing naturally, and I had many recovery tools, I felt my prolonged anxiety happened too often. The smallest negative incident could trigger painful physical responses.
Anxiety Physical Responses
- Difficulty thinking
- Heart racing
- High blood pressure
- Panic
- Shaking
- Stomach ache
- Sweating
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that measures brain waves to produce a signal used as feedback to teach self-regulation of brain function. It’s like computer-aided meditation. Neurofeedback is commonly provided using sound, with positive feedback for desired brain activity and negative feedback for brain activity that is undesirable.
During a feedback session, five electrodes were placed on my head with a little conductive lotion. I listened with headphones to peaceful music that sometimes included soothing aboriginal chanting. Whenever my brain was in a repeated pattern as it would be with anxiety, a low volume click was played which showed my brain it could get unstuck.
Other than feeling tired after the first session, which I am not sure had anything to do with the neurofeedback, I felt no side effects during any session. I found them to be relaxing.
On my way to the fourth session, I was pulled over for speeding. I immediately noticed my anxiety trigger and then subside as the police officer walked up to my car door window. Instead of feeling overwhelmed for hours or days, I was calm. It felt like a miracle. In the months to follow, I had no prolonged negative feelings about events like my annual eye exam, a speaking engagement, when I sprained my hip, or after our carbon monoxide detector alarm sounded.
An unexpected experience was that I found it easier for my feelings to surface since I wasn’t distracted by an overactive stress response. I was able to lovingly embrace sadness and felt better. I am thankful that I can now feel all my emotions right away.
Each of the eight neurofeedback sessions were $65. All individual patient results vary. For me, the total $520 felt like an incredible investment in myself because my peaceful neurological system is priceless.
Positive results are also seen for those who suffer from a variety of problems. It’s a simple procedure that can have amazing results. Share this information with those you know are struggling.
Neurofeedback May Improve
- Attention deficit disorder
- Brain injury
- Insomnia
- Memory Loss
- Multiple sclerosis
- Negative effects of chemotherapy