Suppose someone told you that a chronic illness could be treated by playing video games. In laboratories around the country, people are doing just that, using a technique called neurofeedback depression to fight the symptoms of depression. In fact, researchers propose that neurofeedback could be a persuasive alternative to medication.
Researchers have identified a brain wave pattern in patients who suffer from depression. The left frontal lobe, which controls upbeat emotions as well as a person’s to engage with other people, exhibits less activity than the right frontal lobe, which is associated with depression and a lack of motivation to be with other people. Most commonly, low activity in the left frontal lobe occurs because of heredity or because of minor injuries to the area, such as mild concussion.
The goal of treatment is to balance the activity of these areas of the brain. In depressed individuals, brain waves in the left frontal lobe tend to be of a much lower frequency than brain waves on the right. Doctors attach electrodes to the scalp which pick up brain activity in the two areas and then show the activity to the patient via a video game. When the brain wave frequencies are balanced, the person experiences success with the game.
In contrast, the use of antidepressants does not affect the imbalance of the brain waves. As a result, the underlying condition remains untreated, which leaves the patient in danger of relapse when stressful life circumstances recur. Studies, in fact, have shown that, over the long-term, only eighteen percent of of people continue to respond well to medication.
Antidepressants also produce marked side effects in many patients, including dizziness, nausea, insomnia, weight gain, and sexual side effects. Neurofeedback changes the biological underpinnings of the brain, producing results that last without the tiresome side effects from medication. Symptoms are relieved in the short-term, and recurrence occurs less often in the long-term.
A patient usually masters the technique within twenty to twenty-two sessions. An insurance policy may cover all of part of the costs. Some providers may offer discounts for ten or more sessions or for patients who combine psychotherapy with neurofeedback treatment.
One in twenty Americans, based on calculations by the Centers for Disease Control, suffers from a major depressive illness during the course of his or her life. Neurofeedback provides a plausible alternative treatment that could, in partnership with psychotherapy, end the scourge once and for all.
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