Keeping Emotions in Check With Neurofeedback

Difficulty handling emotions and keeping them under control can cause various psychological issues, and may even lead to full-blown psychiatric problems. This is especially true in childhood. Trauma experienced in youth can contribute to later problems such as depression and anxiety. There are various techniques for helping people control their emotions. One of these is neurofeedback; a training method in which information about changes in an individual’s neural activity is provided to the individual in real-time. This enables the individual to self-regulate thier neural activity and produces changes in behaviour. While already in use as a treatment tool for adults, this method has not been used on young people until now. Researchers believe neurofeedback could help younger people by providing more efficient control of their emotions.

The new study used real time fMRI-based neurofeedback on a sample of kids. “We worked with subjects between the ages of 7 and 16,” explains SISSA researcher and one of the authors of the study, Moses Sokunbi. “They observed emotionally- charged images while we monitored their brain activity, before ‘returning’ it back to them.” The region of the brain studied was the insula, which is in the cerebral cortex.

The young participants could see the level of activation in the insula on a “thermometer” presented on the MRI projector screen. They were instructed to reduce or increase activation with cognitive strategies while verifying the effects on the thermometer. All of them learned how to increase insula activity, although decreasing was more difficult. Specific analysis techniques made it possible to reconstruct the complete network of the areas involved in regulating emotions (besides the insula) and the internal flow of activation. The researchers observed that the direction of flow when activity was increased reversed when decreased.

“These results show that the effect of neurofeedback went beyond the superficial- simple activation of the insula- by influencing the entire network that regulates emotions,” explains Kathrine Cohen Kadosh, Oxford University researcher and first author of the study. “They demonstrate that neurofeedback is a methodology that can be used successfully with young people.”

“Childhood and adolescence is an extremely important time for young people’s emotional development,” says Jennifer Lau, from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London, who has taken part in the study. “Therefore, the ability to shape brain networks associated with the regulation of emotions could be crucial for preventing future mental health problems, which are known to arise during this vital period when the brain’s emotional capacity is still developing.”

Source:

http://neurosciencenews.com/emotion-psychology-neurofeedback-3201/

Hypnosis Helps Reduce Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is characterized by motor and verbal tics. The symptoms first become apparent in early childhood. The first symptom is usually a facial tic such as eye blinking, grimacing, or nose twitching and these are soon replaced with other motor tics involving the neck, limbs, and trunk. These tics are involuntary and people with the disorder experience involuntary urges to perform motor or verbal activity. Hypnosis has been shown to improve the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome.

Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms include verbal tics such as shouting, barking, grunting, and throat clearing. Verbal tics known as coprolalia consist of the involuntary use of obscene words. Copropraxia is the involuntary action of obscene gestures. Although Tourette's is known for these symptoms, they are severe symptoms and not common of the disorder.

The majority of people with Tourette Syndrome have mild symptoms. Also, people with Tourette Syndrome are more likely to also have Attentional Deficit Disorder, Attentional Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and learning disabilities.

Stressful situations can make symptoms of Tourette Syndrome worsen. Tension and anxiety can also be attributed to worsening the symptoms. Hypnotherapy has been found to improve the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. 

Hypnosis is a relaxed state of consciousness. This state allows people to be more open to suggestions. When these suggestions deal directly with their symptoms and anxiety, they are able to relax and make these suggestions a part of their life, thus reducing their symptoms. After a few sessions, people with Tourette Syndrome can dramatically improve their overall lifestyle.

A case study was conducted involving an adolescent male with Tourette Syndrome. He was referred to a hypnotherapist from his physician. The male had a total of 9 hypnosis sessions over a 6-month time period. The model used involved a 4-step treatment process including progressive relaxation, finger-tip temperature feedback using a biotic finger band, Spiegel's eye-roll procedure, and imagery.Immediately following treatment and at the 6-month follow-up, he reported minimal to non-existent symptoms. The hypnosis sessions had helped him reduce stress that triggered the symptoms and it helped him regain control of Tourette Syndrome. It was also reported that soon after treatment, the participant in the study applied for the Air Force and passed his entrance examination.

Research and studies have shown that hypnosis is helpful in reducing the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. This will enable Tourette Syndrome sufferers to lead a more normal lifestyle with fewer tics and interruptions. Hypnosis also gives them more control.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/027559_Tourette_syndrome_hypnosis.html#ixzz3ySCb8muB

What is insomnia?

What is insomnia? 

 

Often take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep for 3 or more nights a week?

 

Yes, individual who suffer for insomnia often have trouble staying asleep or falling asleep or both. Here’s what you might experience:

• Hard to fall asleep
• Wake up in the middle of the night
• Wake up in the early morning
• Feel drowsy and sleepy after a night's sleep
• Trouble staying awake during daytime
• Anger, depression or anxiety related issues
• Difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others
• Unable to think critically
• Trouble making decisions
• Migraine or headache
• Making careless mistakes
• Forgetful
• Indigestion related issues
• Worrying about sleep

 

What cause insomnia?

 

According to the research study done by Bonnet and Arand (2010), Individual suffer for insomnia related issues have increased high-frequency EEG brainwaves activation which known as hyper arousal. Hyper arousal is reflected in brainwaves and it can elevated sympathetic nervous system and heart rate during sleep time (Bonnet & Arand, 2010).  

 

In the field of EEG biofeedback (Brain Trainer), we can understand the hyper arousal state better by peek into the brainwave. "high beta" brainwave is associated with stress, tension, nervous or anxiety state. Work, school, health or family related stress can keep your brainwaves overactive at night and then lead to insomnia. Breathing difficulty, urination problem and chronic pain can cause insomnia as well.

Due to day time sleepiness, some people use stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol to stay awake. It is not a long term solution because stimulants cannot overcome the effects of severe sleep deprivation.For example, alcohol helps induce to light sleep stages but it prevents deeper stages of sleep which can adversely affect the brain and cognitive function. If you always stay in the light sleep stages, it is more likely you will wake up in the middle of the night and wake up feeling tired.

Drug-free Insomnia Solution

Neuroscientists have identified specific brainwave patterns that relate to specific disorders. Individual who suffer for insomnia is more likely to experience hyper arousal state in the brain. Brain trainer can help correct this problem. Brain trainer (EEG biofeedback) which is a safe, non-invasive, drug free and no side effect technology has been shown to effectively address anxiety symptoms. Brain trainer training teaches you to balance your brain's arousal state. It helps teach you how to calm down your brain during stressful event and night.

Neuro-Hypnotherapy is based on EEG brainwave frequency monitoring. It is non-invasive, painless, and safe with no side effects. All of our mind activity can be measured scientifically by utilizing an EEG biofeedback tool. With the Neuro-Hypnotherapy technology, you can scientifically see yourself going into states of “Alpha", "Theta", and "Delta”, and these three levels can be considered states or depths of sleep. After your therapy session, you will learn how to self-regulate your own brainwave pattern and improving your sleep quality by practicing your personalized self-hypnosis technique.

Brain trainer and Neuro-hypnotherapy together help the individual who suffer for insomnia to calm hyper arousal brainwave activity, fine-tuning the central nervous system and reprogram your subconscious mind to achieve deep sleep and relaxation.

 

Contributor:

Hiro Koo

Licensed Clinical Hypnotherapist (AHPM & APA-Society of Psychological Hypnosis). BSocSc(Hons) in Psychology, Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis, Certified EEG biofeedback practitioner.

 

Reference:

Bonnet, M. H., & Arand, D. L. (2010). Hyperarousal and insomnia: State of the science. Sleep Medicine Reviews. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2009.05.002