Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly occurring mental health conditions. Often first diagnosed in childhood, some of the more obvious symptoms are lack of concentration, difficulty paying attention and staying on task, poor impulse control and hyperactivity. An increasing number of adults believe they may have ADHD, either undiagnosed as a child, or has developed later in life. In either case, left untreated, ADHD can have a very negative effect on every aspect of one’s life, including complicated interpersonal relationships, irregular sleep patterns, diminished academic and cognitive performance, and reduced ability to focus, learn and multi-task. For those with the disorder, living in the present moment can even be a challenge.

Several sub-types of ADHD have been created/classified based on electrical activity of the brain, as seen in an EEG. The most common form of ADHD, most frequently seen in children, displays elevated slow wave and/or high theta/beta ratio. Besides a deficit in attention and other typical symptoms, reality is often shifty, and traits include daydreaminess and drowsiness. A dominance of either alpha, or occasionally beta, in frontal and central regions form some of the less-prevalent types of ADHD. Research by Thompson and Thompson (2006) has shown that the increased beta power subtype, more often occurring in adults, are always associated with another condition. These include rumination, anxiety, overwhelming intrusive negative thoughts, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) tendencies and occasionally Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Clinically, it is more difficult to assess these “busy brain” individuals as having ADHD, because they have in most cases sought after and/or found other explanations for their challenges.

How QEEG and Neurofeedback can help

A major attraction of Neurofeedback (NF) treatment, is that it is medication-free. The brain has an inherent power to rewire itself, given stimuli and reward, and NF capitalises on this “neuroplasticity”. A QEEG examination provides personalised results that identify the activity most likely to be contributing to ADHD symptoms. The brain maps display the frequencies which may be lacking, as well as those that are elevated. These areas can then be targeted in the NF program to improve attention, concentration and behaviour. The training software discourages the dysfunctional brain pattern, both intensity/power and speed/frequency, and over an undefined number of sessions, reduction in the deviant electrical activity usually occurs. The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) classifies NF as a level 5 “efficacious and specific” treatment alternative to medication, with follow-up studies 6-12 months post-treatment showing improvements were maintained (Arns et al. 2009). NF provides a viable medication-free option for ADHD sufferers who do not wish to be on stimulants long-term.

For those preferring to go down the medication route, the QEEG results can also be of particular interest in predicting whether certain medications will be effective. For example, if a client has the high-beta ADHD subtype, or if “beta spindles” are observed in the EEG, then stimulant medications that are usually prescribed probably won’t work. Presence of Beta spindles, whilst awake, signifies compromised emotional and attentional regulation. Consuming stimulants, which speed up the brain further, can increase the likelihood of emotional outbursts, panic attacks or behavioural episodes. In this case, alternatives to stimulants, such as Neurofeedback may be recommended.