What Can You Learn From A Neurofeedback qEEG Brain Map?

Have you heard about the many benefits of neurofeedback? Over the past decade or so, neurofeedback has burst onto the mental health scene and made a tremendous impact. It has proven to be helpful in treating multiple issues such as ADHD, anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, depression, insomnia, learning disorders, memory loss, migraines, trauma and even addiction. It is also now being used by many professional athletes and C-Suite leaders for peak performance with promising results!

Are you curious about what is involved, and what neurofeedback might look like for you?

Here at Insights Counseling Center, we begin with a comprehensive brain map assessment that allows our therapists to determine whether brainwave patterns are different from normal. Each evaluation helps us select targeted neurofeedback training protocols specific to what is happening in your brain with the aim of returning things to normal - and to provide you relief.

EEG NEUROFEEDBACK is a
"non-pharmacological and non-invasive
method that involves training through a brain-computer interface…
a simultaneous learning process where
both the patient and computer are involved in modifying neuronal activity or connectivity,
thereby improving associated
symptoms of anxiety and/or over-arousal."
¹

Neurofeedback Brain Map Recording

BRAINWAVES AND DYSREGULATION 

The brainwaves measured during a brain map are measured in hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. A healthy and regulated brain can shift between fast, idle, and slow arousal states more easily as demands arise. Think about your car and how it feels when it is smoothly shifting up and down through the gears. When a brain becomes dysregulated, it becomes less efficient at shifting gears, and it may just get stuck in one gear or another.

 UNDERSTANDING BRAINWAVE PROCESSING

human brain waves beta alpha theta delta gamma for neurofeedback

FAST PROCESSING

Beta waves, 12-35 Hz, are associated with times when you engage with your environment or people. Using beta waves, you are awake and focused.

IDLE PROCESSING

Alpha waves, 8-12 Hz, are associated with a state of quiet wakefulness. You are awake, but you are not doing anything that requires concentration. Alpha waves help you transition between states of sleep (slow-wave processing) and states of engagement (fast-wave processing). You are likely feeling calm and relaxed when your brain produces alpha waves.

SLOW PROCESSING

Slow processing waves are Delta, 1-4 Hz, produced during deep, dreamless sleep; and Theta, 4-7 Hz, which occur during deep relaxation or a twilight state. Theta waves are associated with memory recall and creativity.

 

UNDERSTANDING BRAINWAVE DYSREGULATION

The following symptoms may be associated with imbalance in the following brainwaves:

DELTA/ THETA IMBALANCE 

  • Cognitive Impairment

  • Impulsivity

  • Hyperactivity

  • Focus and Attention Issues

  • ADHD

  • Socially Inappropriate

  • Easily Distracted

  • Excessive Speech

  • Disorganized

  • Hyper-emotional

  • Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Dementia

  • Learning Disorders

  • Autism Spectrum

ALPHA IMBALANCE 

  • Depression

  • Victim Mentality

  • Excessive Self Concern

  • Passive Aggressive

  • Irritability

  • Avoidance Behavior

  • Rumination

  • Anger

  • Self-Deprecation

  • Agitation

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Withdrawal Behavior

BETA IMBALANCE 

  • Anxiety

  • OCD

  • Migraines

  • Tension Headaches

  • Insomnia

  • Obsessive Thinking

  • Excessive Rationalization

  • Poor Emotional Self-Awareness

  • Panic Attacks

  • Worry

  • Chronic Pain

  • Hyper-Vigilant

  • Dislike Change

  • Restless 

THE qEEG BRAIN MAP & REPORT OF FINDINGS 

Electroencephalography (EEG) measures electrical patterns on the scalp's surface to reflect cortical activity. The data is then compared against a clinical and normative database to provide quantitative results (qEEG) and suggest specific training protocols. Our neurofeedback mapping and training are all-natural and never use a stimulus. You may have heard about microcurrent neurofeedback. That type of neurofeedback electrically stimulates regions of the brain to effect change. Our neurofeedback systems never put any electricity into your body - our neurofeedback is completely non-invasive

A therapist will explain your report of findings. The map report of findings suggests global areas of dysregulation, and we can see probability measures of focal site dysregulation as shown in the following sample.

NEUROFEEDBACK TRAINING

This individual completed 60 neurofeedback training sessions from February 23, 2021 to April 5, 2021.

A therapist sees your training results daily and updates you weekly during home training. We are watching for the convergence of the brainwaves, where each brainwave's left and right channels converge together and form a single solid line on the map. We also look for layering and normalization, where the brainwaves order themselves from slowest to fastest. We aim for delta brainwaves to be at 12 microvolts or less, theta at ten microvolts or less, alpha at eight microvolts or less, and beta waves at six microvolts or less. Training protocols are monitored and adjusted as needed during home training.

If you would like a brain map to better understand the symptoms you are experiencing or consider neurofeedback training, please reach out here on our contact page.  


¹ Micoulaud-Franchi, Jeunet, C., Pelissolo, A., & Ros, T. (2021). EEG Neurofeedback for Anxiety Disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders: A Blueprint for a Promising Brain-Based Therapy. Current Psychiatry Reports., 23(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01299-9

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