Overcoming depression

Depression is not a sign of weakness. Depression is a sign of a brain condition. Depresssion refers to a persistent sad mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. Usually depression includes some of the following symptoms:

• Apathy about things, people or activities that were once satisfying.
• Changes in appetite or weight.
• Restlessness or decreased activity noticeable to others.
• Loss of energy or feeling tired all the time.
• Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions.
• Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.
• Haunting thoughts of death or suicide.

Life can throw a curve ball that can sometimes trigger depression or sometimes depression can sneak up on you out of nowhere. Additionally, we know that for some people at certain times, depression can actually be a tool which their brains use to be more creative. Many of the masters in history in various fields (music, art, science), have been depressive types of people - using depression to cause their brains to be in a more creative state from time-to-time. The good news here is that there are different ways to train the brain to be creative, and ways other than drugs to train the brain to be activated out of a state of depression.

In most cases, Brain State Conditioning™ can enhance or replace anti-depressants, making the road to depression recovery much shorter - sometimes requiring only minutes to accomplish. Although there is no guaranteed brain state conditioning™ quick-fix for depression, there is a high percentage of success using brain state conditioning for people suffering depression. This success sometimes takes only 1 to 10 sessions to accomplish.

Studies concerning depression

The effects of alpha/theta neurofeedback on personality and mood.
Raymond J, Varney C, Parkinson LA, Gruzelier JH. Brain Res Cogn Brain Res. 2005 May;23(2-3):287-92.

Clinical use of an alpha asymmetry neurofeedback protocol in the treatment of mood disorders: Follow-up study one to five years post therapy.
Baehr, Elsa; Rosenfeld, J. Peter; Baehr, Rufus; Journal of Neurotherapy, Vol 4(4), 2001. pp. 11-18.

An EEG biofeedback protocol for affective disorders.
Rosenfeld JP.
Clin Electroencephalogr. 2000 Jan;31(1):7-12. Review.

The state of EEG biofeedback therapy (EEG operant conditioning) in 2000: an editor's opinion.
Duffy FH.
Clin Electroencephalogr. 2000 Jan;31(1):V-VII.

The clinical use of an alpha asymmetry protocol in the neurofeedback treatment of depression: Two case studies.
Baehr, Elsa, Rosenfeld, J. P., Baehr, Rufus.
Journal of Neurotherapy , 1997 Fal-Win, v2 (n3):10-23.

Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: an effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms.
Saxby E, Peniston EG
Journal of Clin Psychol 51 (5): 685-693 (Sep 1995)

EEG biofeedback training for bipolar disorder.
Othmer, S. & Othmer, S. (1995).
Presentation at 1995 Society for the Study of Neuronal Regulation, Scottsdale, AZ.

Self regulation of electrocortical activity in schizophrenia and schizotypy: a review.
Gruzelier J. Clin
Electroencephalogr. 2000 Jan;31(1):23-9. Review.

To schedule an appointment for you or a loved one who needs help overcoming depression, please call our office in Burbank for an appointment 818.xxx.xxxx, or simply email us for more information.