| se of the problems posed by Attention Deficit | | | | Theta waves are slow brain waves that are |
| Hyperactivity Disorder for the lives of those affected | | | | commonly associated with daydreaming. |
| by it, many people will try out different types of | | | | This means that just when a person with ADHD is |
| treatments to find one or a combination of treatments | | | | trying to concentrate, he or she is actually drifting off. |
| that offer the best results. These treatments range | | | | By using an EEG machine, a person can be shown this |
| from prescription drugs, to therapy, even to alternative | | | | effect. Experts can then teach a person how to |
| medicine. One of the most promising treatments being | | | | manipulate brain waves in order to inhibit the production |
| explored today is neurofeedback. But, how exactly do | | | | of theta waves. |
| neurofeedback ADHD treatments work? | | | | This means a person will be able to prevent their mind |
| Well, as you may know, ADHD causes the brains to | | | | from drifting off when faced with a task. However, |
| “emit” a different wave pattern than | | | | what most people are interested in is whether or not |
| what is considered "normal". This can be caused by a | | | | neurofeedback ADHD treatments actually work. |
| lack of neurotransmitters, which control behavior and | | | | Keep reading to find out and sign up for the free |
| mood or by an inherent chemical imbalance in the brain. | | | | recognizing and treating ADHD newsletter below. |
| Usually, the wave patterns emitted coincide with the | | | | Well, the fact is that neurofeedback ADHD treatments |
| way that a person thinks or how they are behaving. | | | | are actually like taking lessons. How well it works |
| However, these wave patterns cannot really be | | | | depends on how well the person can learn. Most |
| controlled. Just like heartbeats, these brain patterns just | | | | children exposed to neurofeedback ADHD treatment |
| happen unconsciously. | | | | can learn how to inhibit their theta waves to an extent |
| What neurofeedback aims to do is make a person | | | | that prescription drugs like Ritalin do. |
| aware of these processes. The main goal of | | | | However, while the effects of prescription drugs wear |
| neurofeedback for ADHD sufferer is to enable them | | | | off a few hours after being taken, the control gained |
| to recognize and control the behaviors and so effect | | | | during neurofeedback ADHD training remains. |
| the brain waves being detected. How is this done? | | | | There are, of course, people who question the validity |
| This is done by hooking up a person to an | | | | of neurofeedback treatment. However, their |
| Electroencephalogram (EEG)- a machine that monitors | | | | arguments are around the fact that studies done to |
| brain activities and allows a person to observe his or | | | | date haven’t been well constructed and |
| her brain waves on a monitor. | | | | regulated and therefore the treatment is unproven, |
| How is this done exactly? Well, there are actually five | | | | rather than producing evidence that the treatment |
| types of brain waves. However, only two of these are | | | | doesn’t work. |
| involved in neurofeedback treatments. Normally, when | | | | The downside to neurofeedback treatment is the |
| a person is concentrating on a task, he or she | | | | sessions can be costly and a large number are likely to |
| increases the emission of Beta waves. They are the | | | | be required for the treatment to be effective. This |
| fastest type of brain waves. However, for some | | | | treatment also required input from the individual |
| people with ADHD, rather than increasing the Beta | | | | undergoing the treatment, so children for this reason |
| waves, Theta waves are increased instead. Now, | | | | therefore less use it. |