ADD/ADHD
Neurofeedback can dramatically reduce all of the symptoms of ADD, leading to more consistent, focused, and successful work & school performance. Many c lients have dramatically reduced and even stopped taking medications such as Ritalin or Adderall.

Signs & Symptoms
Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a disorder that results from poor executive functioning and manifests itself with symptoms such as forgetfulness, disorganization, poor impulse control, and distractibility. People with ADD may seem brilliantly incompetent as they have fantastic ideas but struggle to stay on task and follow through with them. Some people have an hyperactive component along with their distractibility (AD/HD or Attention-Deficit / Hyperactive Disorder). They may talk excessively and are always on the go. The disorder is believed to affect between 3-5% of the United States population, including both children and adults.

Drs. Barkley and Murphy recommend a new diagnostic, requiring six out of nine of the following symptoms for an adult to be diagnosed with AD/HD:

• Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• Often makes decisions impulsively
• Often has difficulty stopping activities or behavior when he or she should do so
• Often starts a project or task without reading or listening to directions carefully
• Often shows poor follow-through on promises or commitments he or she may make to others
• Often has trouble doing things in their proper order or sequence
• Often more likely to drive a motor vehicle much faster than others (excessive speeding)
• Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or leisure activities
• Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities

Source: Barkley, R. A., Murphy, K.R. & Fischer, M. (2007). AD/HD in Adults: Original Research, Integration and Clinical Implications. New York: Guilford Publications.

What's Going On in the Brain:
In most cases the ADD brain is generating too much slow wave activity (theta frequency band), primarily in the frontal lobe (responsible for executive function), causing people to drift off & lose attention. To combat this, they will seek stimulus which temporarily wakes up their brain and allows them to pay attention and remain focused. Common stimuli include coffee, increased physical activity (hyperactivity), arguments, risky behavior, drugs, alcohol, etc.


How Neurofeedback Helps ADD/ADHD
Neurofeedback can dramatically reduce all of the symptoms of ADD. Through Neurofeedback the brain learns to speed up and produce more “pay attention” (beta frequency band) activity and limit the “doze” off (theta frequency band) activity.

By speeding up the frontal lobe region, the executive functions are activated, enabling the brain to stay on task, filter out background noise, plan and organize activities, follow through on commitments, and minimize dependence upon harmful external stimuli such as drugs, alcohol, and other risky behavior.
Many of my clients have decreased and even completely weaned off their ADD medications and are functioning better than ever before—even better than with their medications.


ADD/ADHD Research
Research has shown that the effects of Neurofeedback on AD/HD is permanent. The following are selected research studies showing the effect of Neurofeedback on AD/HD.


A Comparison of EEG Biofeedback and Psychostimulants in Treating Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders
Rossiter, Thomas R., La Vaque, Theodore J., Journal of Neurotherapy, Volume 1. Number 1. 1995.

A Controlled Study of the Effects of EEG Biofeedback on Cognition and Behavior of Children with Attention Deficit Disorders and Learning Disabilities
Linden, Michael, Habib, Thomas, Radojevic, Vesna, Applied Psychophysiology and Feedback, Volume 21, Number 1, March, 1996.

Electroencephalographic biofeedback in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Monastra V.J., Lynn S., Linden M., Lubar J.F., Gruzelier J., LaVaque T.J., Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. 2005 Jun;30(2):95-114.

Impact of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on prescription drug spending for children and adolescents: increasing relevance of health economic evidence.
Schlander, Michael, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2007, 1:13.

Neurofeedback in Adolescents and Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Butnik, Steven M.;
Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol 61(5), May 2005. pp. 621-625.

Neurofeedback Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: A Comparison With Methylphenidate
Fuchs, Thomas, Birbaumer, Niels, Lutzenberger, Werner, Gruzelier, John H. and Kaiser, Jochen, Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Vol. 28, No. 1, March 2003.

The effects of stimulant therapy, EEG biofeedback, and parenting style on the primary symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Monastra V.J., Monastra D.M., George S., Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2002 Dec;27(4):231-49.

Numerous additional references are available upon request.