Neurofeedback for Adults with ADHD

Years ago, it was common for children to go through school with undiagnosed ADHD. Today, those children are adults just learning that they’ve had ADHD their entire lives. High-functioning professionals with ADHD often go to great lengths to compensate for their ADHD and often experience burnout as a result.

If you are an adult with ADHD, you may benefit from Neurofeedback. This non-invasive approach trains the brain to change its patterns, thereby improving your quality of life.

How to Recognize Adult ADHD

ADHD in adults is very different from ADHD in children. Knowing the symptoms of ADHD in adults can help you determine if this condition is affecting you.

Common Symptoms in High-Functioning Adults

Here are some of the symptoms of adult ADHD:

• Mental fatigue
• Impulsiveness
• Poor time management skills
• Frequent mood swings
• Poor planning
• “Brain fog”
• Chronic procrastination
• Difficulty sustaining attention, especially on routine tasks
• Irritability or low tolerance for frustration
• Problems with follow-through
• Excessive restlessness
• Easily overwhelmed
• Difficulty turning off the mind

Why Many Adults Go Undiagnosed

Many adults with ADHD go undiagnosed because they have developed strong coping mechanisms that allow them to mask their symptoms. They overcompensate for their condition by increasing their effort to get through daily tasks. Eventually, this leads to burnout. When burnout happens, they experience decreased productivity, even if they’re working longer hours. As a result, they start to feel less motivated, less creative, more distracted and irritable. They try harder, experience improvement, get burned out again, and the cycle continues.

Often, these adults blame their symptoms on stress or anxiety, or claim that their ADHD is simply a personal problem they must overcome. Often, they don’t find out that they have ADHD until they’re older, deep into a demanding career and feeling overwhelmed.

Common Treatments for Adult ADHD

Some adults with ADHD benefit from medications, but side effects of these medications can involve everything from changes in appetite to difficulty sleeping. For some patients, the side effects are almost as bad as the condition itself.

Even worse, these medications lose effectiveness over time. And, since the medication doesn’t address the underlying problem, the patient’s ADHD returns as soon as they stop medication. Therefore, some patients turn to Neurofeedback to treat their adult ADHD.

Neurofeedback Treatments for ADHD

Neurofeedback is a type of brain training that encourages your brain to develop healthier patterns. It’s a non-invasive treatment that can be used to address problems like ADHD, anxiety, sleep problems and more. To learn more about Neurofeedback in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, FL, contact Emerald Coast NeuroFeedback.

The Basics

This is how Neurofeedback works:

• Sensors placed on the scalp and ears measure brainwave activity.
• Visual or audio feedback teaches you to adjust brain patterns.
• Over time, your brain learns to improve brainwave patterns, allowing you to experience more optimal brain function.

Why Neurofeedback Matters for ADHD

ADHD is linked to distinctive brainwave patterns. Using Neurofeedback, patients can change those patterns, allowing them to sustain their focus for longer, control their impulses and regulate their emotions.

Neurofeedback goes beyond managing symptoms and eventually teaches the brain to self-correct and stabilize. Eventually, patients learn to make long-term changes that can improve their quality of life.

What to Expect

Neurofeedback sessions are comfortable and low-pressure. No conscious effort is required to do the task correctly. During the session, sensors are placed on the head and ears. Next, the person watches a screen or listens to audio feedback. Their brain activity influences the audio and visual feedback, providing a real-time mirror for the brain to gradually improve its own functioning.

Adults with ADHD who have experienced Neurofeedback may notice that they’re able to focus on tasks more easily, they’re able to tolerate stress better and have more control over their emotions.

Who Benefits from Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is best suited for adults who suspect they have ADHD, even if they never obtained a diagnosis. If you think you have ADHD but don’t want to take medication to treat your condition, Neurofeedback may be able to help you manage your cognitive demands with less stress and less burnout.

How Does Neurofeedback Compare to Other ADHD Treatments?

Neurofeedback is typically a more effective and efficient approach than therapy alone. This is because ADHD is an organic issue at its core, not a behavioral issue. When the brain has more capacity to function better, it is easier to manage day-to-day life and engage in meaningful therapy for broader mental health focuses.

It is also more of a long-term solution than medicine. Although medicine can be helpful for some, for others, the side effects create additional concerns. Even when medications do work well, they do not teach the brain how to improve its functioning, and one would have to continue them indefinitely if they expect to maintain any symptom improvement.

How Long Does Neurofeedback Take?

Clients can expect to see initial gains made within the first 5-8 sessions, with lasting benefits averaging between 20-30 sessions. *Because Neurofeedback is brain learning and depends upon some synergy, regular attendance is important and missed appointments can impact treatment success.

Take the Next Step With Emerald Coast NeuroFeedback

If you’re hoping to improve focus and reduce burnout, Neurofeedback works to get at the root of the problem with lasting results. Contact Emerald Coast NeuroFeedback to schedule a consultation to discuss Neurofeedback in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, FL.