Posted by StillHopefull on May 5, 2010, at 15:56:57
I have been seriously depressed for over 20 years - most of that time treated successfully with a combination of antidepressants. You can read my post on the medication board about my history and what brought me to quit the meds and try doing without...
Anyway, the internist who supervised my AD withdrawal suggested I try Neurofeedback, so yesterday I did. Part of me thinks this is quakery, but part of me wants to try anything because I'm suffering so much.
So - before the treatment I was feeling very depressed. Having to pry myself out of bed, trouble accomplishing the smallest task, feeling like a lazy loser, and crying at the drop of a hat.
I went to the office - she's a naturopath - and got hooked up to wires. One wire on each side of the top of my head, one on the top of each ear, and one on each earlobe, for a total of six wires. Then I stared at a computer screen with some psychedelic images for 15 seconds with my eyes open, then I closed my eyes for 15 seconds. This was to get a baseline scan. The therapist (I hesitate to call her a dr but I guess she is) showed me the chart and some graphs, explaining which were the alpha, beta, etc. waves and blah, blah, blah.
The actual treatment consisted of me listening to music through headphones and watching the images on the screen. If you want to know what is supposed to happen during this treatment just google it. What I want to relate is my experience. While I was listening to the music, I would also hear little clicks and static.
The first treatment lasted 30 minutes. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Subsequent treatments will take 1 hour.
Now here is the result - whether wishful thinking or placebo only time will tell. I felt completely BETTER after the treatment. I no longer felt like crying, and I felt pretty normal. I went home and fixed a nice dinner for the Mr. and even cleaned up the kitchen afterward. And still no crying. Now some might think that is no big deal, but for me it WAS!
This morning I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and got dressed before 10AM - another big deal. I am now going to make a shopping list and go to the grocery store.
Here is the score card:
100 points = Feeling wonderful, energetic, motivated, productive, and happy
0 points = Leaping off a bridge
Before the treatment I was feeling a score of about 15-20.
Immediately after the treatment I was feeling a score of about 60-70.
And right now about 22 hours after treatment I am feeling a score of about 50.
I will keep you posted if you're interested...
Thanks for being here.
poster:StillHopefull
thread:946447
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100322/msgs/946447.html