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Episode 9: What Conditions Neurofeedback is Good For

January 31, 2023
Neurofeedback can calm an overstimulated or understimulated brain so kids can think, learn, and behave better. In this episode, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge explains what neurofeedback is good for, how your child can get help and how Regulation First Parenting supports emotional balance.
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Thousands of research studies show how effective neurofeedback is in treating symptoms that are related to everything from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

The brain and the body will not allow themselves to heal in such a state. What we need to do is address the symptoms. So we shift it from a sympathetic dominant to a parasympathetic state. Once we achieve that, the brain can finally heal itself.

How does neurofeedback affect learning problems?

When you encounter people, especially children, with learning problems, it’s going to be challenging. They have all these thoughts and questions that we’re never really prepared for. And so, it makes our brain processing go to another level.It all boils down to brain dysregulation, which shows up in a lot of ways. So, it’s best that you highly consider neurofeedback as a natural and safe way to calm the brain and bring the happiness back to your family.When your child is anxious, inattentive, or melting down over the smallest thing, it can feel overwhelming. You want answers and real solutions, not more guessing. This episode breaks down how neurofeedback helps calm the brain, why it works for ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression, and learning issues, and what is actually happening in your child’s brain when symptoms show up.

Why is my child still struggling even when they try their best?

So many parents tell me their child is trying hard but still can’t focus, follow directions, or manage their emotions. That is a sign of an understimulated or overstimulated brain, not a motivation problem. Neurofeedback helps regulate the brain waves that control attention, behavior, and mood.Key takeaways:

  • ADHD brains are often understimulated and get stuck in unfocused patterns.
  • Anxious brains are overstimulated and stay in survival mode.
  • Neurofeedback trains these patterns so the brain can function better.

Real-life example: A mom once shared that her son worked twice as long as other students but still missed details. After neurofeedback, his teacher finally said, “He is fully here in class now.”

What does anxiety look like in the brain and why does my child spiral so fast?

Parents often describe anxiety as “my child goes from fine to panicked in seconds.” Inside the brain, anxiety looks like a firestorm of overstimulation. The nervous system is stuck in survival mode, making relaxation feel unsafe.Neurofeedback helps by:

  • Training the brain away from looping thoughts
  • Reducing that fight or flight dominance
  • Supporting calmer neurotransmitter activity

This shift lets kids step out of worry and back into thinking mode.

How can neurofeedback help if my child has OCD or intrusive thoughts?

OCD is closely tied to anxiety. Kids get trapped in repetitive thoughts or compulsions that feel impossible to stop. An overstimulated brain feeds those loops.Neurofeedback helps by:

  • Interrupting the overactive brain wave patterns
  • Lowering the internal alarm system
  • Helping kids feel safe in their bodies again

Parents often tell me, “The thoughts finally quieted,” which is exactly what we want.

Why does my child seem so tired, sad, or checked out? Could it be depression?

Depression often shows a mix of brain areas that are too slow and others that are working too hard. Many kids with depression are actually burned out from long periods of unmanaged stress or anxiety.Neurofeedback supports:

  • Reactivating sluggish brain regions
  • Calming overstimulated areas
  • Helping energy and motivation return

Kids start smiling again, engaging again, and feeling like themselves again.If you’re tired of walking on eggshells or feeling like nothing works…Get the FREE Regulation Rescue Kit and finally learn what to say and do in the heat of the moment.Become a Dysregulation Insider VIP at www.drroseann.com/newsletter and take the first step to a calmer home.What Dr. Roseann Says🗣️ “Neurofeedback produces lasting changes over time and helps the brain regulate in a way nothing else can.” — Dr. Roseann

Episode Summary

Neurofeedback is a proven way to regulate brain waves so kids can focus, manage emotions, and feel better. Whether your child has ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression, or learning challenges, calming and organizing the brain creates real change. When we calm the brain first, everything else becomes easier. For more support, explore our blogs and resources on natural ways to improve emotional and behavioral regulation.

FAQ

How long does neurofeedback take to work for kids?

Many parents notice changes within weeks, but lasting progress builds over consistent sessions.

Can neurofeedback help anxiety without medication?

Yes. It trains the brain into calmer patterns and supports nervous system regulation.

Is neurofeedback safe for kids with ADHD?

It is noninvasive, research-backed, and shown to improve focus, impulse control, and behavior.

Does neurofeedback help learning problems?

Yes. It improves processing, attention, and regulation, making learning less stressful.Next Step: Feel like you’ve tried everything and still don’t have answers?The Solution Matcher helps you find the best starting point based on your child’s symptoms, behaviors, and history. It’s fast, free, and based on decades of clinical expertise.Get your personalized plan now at www.drroseann.com/help

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Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge: Revolutionizing Children’s Mental Health

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge’s podcast, It’s Gonna be OK!™: Science-Backed Solutions for Children’s Behavior and Mental Health, is in the top 2% globally. The podcast empowers parents with natural, science-backed solutions to improve children’s self-regulation and calm their brains. Each episode delivers expert advice and practical strategies, making it indispensable for parents of neurodivergent children or those with behavioral or mental health challenges.

Dr. Roseann, founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann, LLC, created the Neurotastic™ Brain Formulas and BrainBehaviorReset® method. With her extensive experience, she provides families with hope and effective strategies to manage conditions like ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and PANS/PANDAS.

Forbes has called her “A thought leader in children’s mental health,” highlighting her revolutionary impact on mental health education and treatment. Through her podcast and innovative methods, Dr. Roseann continues to transform how we approach, treat and understand children’s mental health.
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