Parents are left clueless and even helpless at some point as the number of kids struggling with their mental health today is increasing at an alarming rate. Although, there is still hope for us and our kids. There are solutions available for us.
But the options we have are not one-size-fits-all solutions. What works for some may not work for others. We just have to be responsible in identifying which treatment effectively works best for our kids.
The remedies available are not just clinical therapies and medication; there are more alternatives for us out there. Let’s not limit ourselves to clinical options as healing may also be done naturally. And that’s what I’m here to shed light on.
Do natural therapies work?
One of the common solutions that parents resort to is therapy. And when things seem to be not improving, we are left to wonder what else is there for us to do to resolve whatever clinical issue or symptom our kids have.
There’s such a thing as natural therapy and some people have this negative notion when they encounter the word ‘natural’. But this has to change because natural therapy actually works.
In fact, in the traditional training for therapy, when you have a problem, you are encouraged to talk to someone and it is only after that that you get medication. Now, however, it is the other way around. You take your medication and then talking to someone is considered as the next option.
Change doesn’t happen overnight and we have to stop the belief of the magic wand.
We have to keep in mind that things take time. Don’t expect for our kids’ mental health condition to instantly improve after undergoing therapy or taking prescribed medication.
Remember that change doesn't happen overnight. We have to stop believing in the magic wand. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t hinder us from keeping our heads up and continuing to help our struggling kids.
Surely, it will all be worth it in the end even though it may be long, gradual and tedious. But progress does not work in a linear manner. We have to trust the process and accept that changes may go unnoticed at first. After all, small progress is still progress.
What is neurofeedback and how does it work?
Technology plays a good role in treating mental health conditions. As we know, clinical mental health conditions are caused by a dysregulated nervous system. So, when we regulate that nervous system, the clinical symptoms go down and it regulates your nervous system.
On the other hand, neurofeedback goes to the next level. It changes brain waves, areas of dysfunction in the brain, and other neural networks. It also alters how the brain talks to itself.
People who suffer from mental health conditions like attention deficit disorder (ADD) and autism have a real disruption in their neural networks. As a consequence, they’re not responsive to medications.
How does neurofeedback regulate the nervous system?
To better understand how neurofeedback regulates the nervous system, it’s best to paint a picture for how it actually works.
Imagine you're in front of a computer screen. You get reinforcement from the computer and it gets you hooked. The computer measures your brainwave activity. Then, you're gonna get reinforced every time you produce a healthy combination of brainwaves.
Another example is when you are on a treadmill and you start walking. You need to do it a lot to build muscles. This is also how it works for neurofeedback.
Typically, people do two or three 30-minute sessions per week. Most people, however, are doing 40 or more sessions to create a lasting change. Research shows that as far out as 10 years, we see that people are sustaining the change.
Medications only work when you're on them. They don’t create instant results but neurofeedback is a lasting solution as it creates a lasting change. Also, there is no research showing that it has any negative side effects.
How neurofeedback and biofeedback are different.
Neurofeedback and biofeedback may seem to be closely similar but they are two different concepts. As compared to neurofeedback, biofeedback is learning how to conscientiously control one of your autonomic functions – your breath work, heart rate, skin temperature, and more.
There are many things that we can do to regulate the nervous system which are effective in reaching a parasympathetic state. We use our conscious brain where neurofeedback is the subconscious. This makes neurofeedback, being the subconscious, powerful as it functions at a level where you don’t have to think about it.
As regards biofeedback, it is an easy, accessible and affordable tool. It is recommended to be used for kids and for older kids who can take the most out of it.
How do I know neurofeedback or any other resources can help my kid?
It’s been observed that neurofeedback is safe and it can pretty much help anybody. It is a game changer for most people who have used it. They noticed a lasting change although gradual. Though as previously mentioned, what works for some, may not work for others.
Taking sessions helps but don’t expect to see changes after a few sessions. Most people take 15 to 20 sessions to see changes. Remember that consistency is key! There must be a continuous effort in order to create a lasting change you want to see.
Catch me on the next episode where we’ll talk about hope and belief and how it can be instrumental in changing your family life and child’s life.
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