Depression is more than just feeling sad. It can make everything feel overwhelming, heavy, or even dull. Traditional approaches, like working with a mental health professional in a therapy setting or incorporating medication, can be beneficial for depression.
Even though therapy and medication are often recommended, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re struggling with depression, you may be looking for something that is more brain-based or natural.
This is where an approach like neurofeedback therapy comes into play. Let’s learn more about neurofeedback therapy and explore how it can be used for depression.
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
Neurofeedback is a form of therapy that monitors and regulates your brain activity. Your brainwaves are monitored with the help of sensors placed on your head during sessions while watching a video or playing a game. The screen responds to how your brain is behaving. When it dips into an unhealthy pattern, the video will lag, or you may experience audio issues. Throughout your neurofeedback sessions, your brain will be trained to function in a healthier and more balanced way.
Neurofeedback for Depression
Depression can show up in the brain as certain areas of the brain being overactive or underactive. This is known as dysregulated brainwave activity. There are parts of the brain that tend to be less active in people with depression, like the left frontal cortex. This lack of activity can bring on a low mood as well as a lack of motivation.
Neurofeedback can be a helpful tool to target these underactive or overactive areas in the brain to help it move towards a more optimal activity pattern. It doesn’t force your brain to do anything it wouldn’t already do on its own, it just helps train it to become more regulated. Essentially, neurofeedback works to help your brain work for you instead of working against you. Individuals with depression who go through neurofeedback experience:
- Lifted brain fog
- Calmness
- Clarity
- Feeling unstuck
- Greater emotional stability
- Improved quality of sleep
- Increased energy levels
- Reduced negative feelings
What to Expect During Neurofeedback Therapy
Just the idea of talking about your various thoughts and feelings may be preventing you from seeking the help you need and deserve. The good news is that neurofeedback therapy can be pretty relaxing compared to other, more traditional forms of therapy. You spend your sessions sitting in a comfy chair with sensors placed on your head as you watch or play something. The system does the rest of the work for you.
How Long Until You See Results?
Neurofeedback takes time. It’s not a one-and-done type of thing. It is a gradual process that can include between 1 and 3 sessions each week and a total of 20-40 sessions throughout the course of treatment. After just a few sessions, you’ll pick up on subtle changes like an improved emotional state or sleep. You’ll notice greater changes after completing between 10-20 sessions.
Can You Use It With Other Therapies?
If you’re already working with a therapist or taking a medication for your depression, you won’t have to start all over again. Neurofeedback isn’t meant to be a replacement for your existing treatment. This form of therapy can actually work extremely well with the tools you’re already using, therapy and medication included. Many people end up reducing the amount of medication they’re taking after starting neurofeedback therapy.
When first starting off with neurofeedback therapy, you don’t have to change anything. Consider it to be another helpful tool or resource in your coping and mental health kit.
Next Steps
If your depression is making you feel like your brain continues to work against you, neurofeedback therapy could be a great option for you. It’s a gentle, safe, and effective treatment option that could be worth trying out! Reach out today if you’re interested in learning more about starting neurofeedback therapy or incorporating it into your current therapies!
