Menu

Depression

ADD-and-Depression-scaled

ADD and Depression

, , , ,

  “We can hypothesize that much of the depression and ADD-type symptoms are a result of the individual feeling overwhelmed , threatened, or constantly faced with tasks that seem too large or too difficult.  It is easier to let the brain slow down so the person can “zone out” or, as we call it, ” go under-ground.”  Many children who feel overwhelmed become depressed over time, and they appear to have ADD.  They often end up diagnosed with ADD and are prescribed Ritalin and/or other stimulant medication, which can make their condition worse.”   From Getting Rid of Ritalin by Robert W. Hill, Ph.D. and Eduardo Castro, M.D.     A very high percentage of our ADD, depressed clients respond well to neurofeedback.  Many are able to reduce or go off meds under their medical doctor’s  guidance.  

Depression and Neurological Patterns

From Biofeedback for the Brain by Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D.   

 “Neurological patterns associated with depression, are inequality of frontal-lobe activity, deficiency of slow-wave activity (theta) or excessive fast-wave activity (beta) in the occipital (back) region of the brain, and deficiency in the 13-15 Hz activity (SMR) over the sensory motor cortex.  Whether these conditions are labeled monopolar depression, manic depression, agitated depression, ADD, and so on is largely irrelevant.  Depression can take many forms.  When a therapist sees a brain map with a deficiency in slow-wave activity in the back of the brain and with the right frontal lobe about 30 percent more aroused than the left frontal lobe, then she can say with remarkable accuracy  that the client experiences  anxiety with despondent mood states.” pg. 161.

Depression in Children

,

From:Healing Young Brains by Robert Hill, Ph.D. and Eduardo Castro, M.D.     
DEPRESSION affects all ages.

“We do not normally think of children being depressed, but depression knows no social, economic, gender, or age boundaries.  There are many children with dysregulated brains who manifest symptoms of depression.  Many children diagnosed with ADHD and other disorders are actually depressed, and if you clear the depression, the attentional and behavioral problems disappear.  Depression can manifest at any age.  Once again, if we rescue the child, we save the adult.  If brainwaves are not regulated in childhood, they may carry those dysregulated brainwaves into adulthood.  We know of no specific clinical studies confirming that treatment of children for depression precludes depressive patterns in adulthood, but in our clinical practices, this idea seems to hold up.”