Brain Training Against Anxiety And Depression

Brain training does not only help improve baby boomers with their memory retention, nor increase intellect among children and adults.  There are studies showing that emotional brain training could actually help in improving stress levels and making a person feel more at ease and relaxed. 

Anxiety and stress are among the biggest problems that we are facing in a very fast-paced lifestyle we live in.  These problems could actually worsen chronic diseases which could make the illness turn for the worst. Which is why anxiety and depression are associated with cases of death in the country. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses, about 15 million Americans had depression. While about 40 million American each year suffer from anxiety according to the Anxiety Disorder Association in America. 

Emotional brain training is actually a cognitive therapy which enables the brain to respond to stimulus, positively and healthily without triggering anxiety.  Usually relaxation techniques are used to ease the anxiety attacks and moments of depression. 

How does brain training achieve such results? 

Those who are suffering from anxiety-depression and other behaviour problems have brain disregulation. Brain training aims to use neurofeedback as a strategy to help learn or change brainwave patterns.  The brain is observed and the pattern of the brain activity is presented to the patient/customer.   Neurofeedback aims for self-regulation of the brain. 

The training or neurofeedback (also called neurotherapy) starts with the patient being interviewed and the initial brain activity taken.  This would help the therapist identify which activities are positive and negative for the patient which would be used for the following sessions.  

The waves are measure or recorded through the electroencephalogram or EEG.  Sensors are attached to the scalp to monitor brain activity. Eventually, the signals are filtered and the feedback can be seen on a screen and can be heard through earphones or speakers.

In neurofeedback sessions, the state when the mind is its calmest is determined.  Consistent coaching would help the person to re-create that state and eventually use it to decrease their anxiety or depression.  These sessions would also help a person to consistently practice and reinforce these calming patterns. 

The number of brain training or neurotherapy sessions depends on the complexity of the symptoms, as well, as how sensitive the patient is.  Each session would usually last from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.  The entire session is not dedicated to neurofeedbacking.  Much of the time is spent on exercises and practices on how to relieve the brain of its negative activities. 

Nuerofeedback training is not only used by those who have anxiety and depression, those who have experienced emotional trauma, autisms and are suffering from learning disabilities could also benefit from this training.  This could also significantly improve social interactions. 

Unlike medications for anxiety and depression, neurofeedback is unlikely to produce side-effects.  It is also likely for anxiety and depression to return once medication is stopped. However, neurofeedback and brain training and coaching sessions do not replace medication intake.  Experts recommend to get doctor’s approval before stopping any kind of medication. 
