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Sooooo.....after a number of months of SR I had my brain
waves charted by a Biofeedback specialist over the last month...The results confuse me.
My Beta reads 3.5 on a normal scale of 13 to 30
My Alpha reads 21 on a normal scale of 8 to 13
What gives....I should be as mellow as a monk with all this, yet I still find trouble concentrating, have mild
anxiety and simply don`t feel as calm as I should...
In Reply to: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paul C [1041.1617] on December 21, 2005 at 21:31:30:
Have you been meditating or doing "sr"?
Big difference. If you can't do it on your own, go somewhere to learn meditation. It is very different.
Also, doing meditation or SR is only a fraction of the big picture. You can do SR until you are blue in the face, and if you don't learn coping skills, forget it.
I notice so many people on the board who stress OVER sr! It's counterproductive to even monitor that aspect of your wellness; it should be a lifestyle, not an activity.
In Reply to: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paul C [1041.1617] on December 21, 2005 at 21:31:30:
It is strange to me (not that I've seen anyone else's readings). But provided that your readings are accurate, would you experiment with something, please? Some people who teach people to produce more alpha waves (e.g. Silva) say that being in an alpha state makes it easy to manifest your desires. Getting a parking spot regularly in a place where it's normally virtually impossible to get one is one examples used. All you have to do is visualize a parking spot and parking there. You have to be in an alpha state. Please experiment with getting what you want and report to us.
In Reply to: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paul C [1041.1617] on December 21, 2005 at 21:31:30:
...yet I still find trouble concentrating, have mild anxiety and simply don`t feel as calm as I should...
Maybe you need to look at the brain chemistry archives, it could be something along those lines.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by R. [4746.2395] on December 21, 2005 at 23:51:19:
No need to experiment R.....that happens to me all the time. I should say that I am a visual artist and I create
all my work in my mind before it happens.
The only problem is that I can`t visualize myself in a state of calm. In fact, I suffer from what the mystics would call "monkey mind" very badly...My brain is running
like a locomotive.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Michele [15.1774] on December 21, 2005 at 21:42:37:
Thanks for the thoughts Michele.....Yes, coping skills
would be useful. So what method would you suggest....
In Reply to: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paul C [1041.1617] on December 21, 2005 at 21:31:30:
Paulc,
Brain rhythms between 4-8cps are, by definition, Alpha and rhythms above 10cps are, by definition, Beta.
I have no idea what this technician is talking about.
Besides, SR effectiveness is determined by the DIFFERENCE in readings between the beginning of the session and the end--not the absolute readings.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Michele [15.1774] on December 21, 2005 at 21:42:37:
I was under the impression that meditation IS SR.
Like a duck is a bird...
~~~8>
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 06:53:52:
I see. But creating work that way is a usual thing. I am a programmer, and I also do the same. I was talking about something else. I am very curious about manifesting things such as I mentioned. Are you able to do that regularly?
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. ?????????? posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 22, 2005 at 09:06:41:
Maybe the technician was talking about a percentage of these waves among all waves in his brain. Or maybe amplitudes of waves with those frequences.
In Reply to: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paul C [1041.1617] on December 21, 2005 at 21:31:30:
I always have a problem with the concept of doing relaxation 'right'-it seems a contradiction- if you are worried about it, you aren't relaxed.
Anyway, calm comes from acceptance, in my opinion.
The brain chemistry suggestion is good- when I was in really bad health I also tended toward anxiety and always feeling rushed. When I tried macrobiotics (out of desparation) I got really calm and acquired all kinds of time I hadn't realized existed before. Since macrobiotics cuts out almost every problem food, not out of telling you what not to eat, but by telling you what to eat, I imagine there was a big change in brain chemistry and I had a bunch of positive physical changes as well. An experiment with a few months of macrobiotics might reveal a lot to you.
As to coping skills- it depends on what it is you are anxious about. My old suggestion about watching Haley Mills' movie, Pollyanna, had to do with learning acceptance. For anxiety about death, two books are very good- Pearl S Buck's, The Big Wave and Ionesco's play, Exit the King.
What specific anxieties do you need to deal with?
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by R. [4746.2395] on December 22, 2005 at 11:51:37:
I am a photographer. I manifest how I want others to act in a photograph and it happens more often than not. With
programming I assume you are working within your own
skillset to achieve an end result..but not causing the
external laws of binaries to change. Some interaction
that occurs with myself and a camera causes photographs
that are beyond what 95% of my colleages create.
In any event, the parking lot one is a good one...I`ll try it..but I don`t personally believe in the concept...
perhaps I am a good candidate to debunk it. Give me another task that is similiar. I don`t buy lottery tickets..but perhaps I can visualize myself as a winner...lol.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. ?????????? posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 22, 2005 at 09:06:41:
Walt,
The woman I have been working with is, as R pointed out, reading the wavelengths. Yes, we have looked at progress over the last couple of months and my numbers are coming in a little closer to the "norm" but ever so
slowly. She is a neurofeedback practitioner who is part of this network...http://www.eegspectrum.com/IntroToNeuro/
Here is some info on brainwave ranges for those interested.
There are frequencies/rhythms which when dominant in the brain correlate with a specific state of mind. There are generally 4 groupings of brain waves:
1. Beta waves range between 13-40 HZ. The beta state is associated with peak concentration, heightened alertness and visual acuity. Nobel Prize Winner, Sir Francis Crick and other scientists believe that the 40HZ beta frequency used on many Brain Sync tapes may be key to the act of cognition.
2. Alpha waves range between 7-12 HZ. This is a place of deep relaxation, but not quite meditation. In Alpha, we begin to access the wealth of creativity that lies just below our conscious awareness - it is the gateway, the entry point that leads into deeper states of consciousness. Alpha is also the home of the window frequency known as the Schumann Resonance, which is the resonant frequency of the earth's electromagnetic field.
3. Theta waves range between 4-7 HZ. Theta is one of the more elusive and extraordinary realms we can explore. It is also known as the twilight state which we normally only experience fleetingly as we rise up out of the depths of delta upon waking, or drifting off to sleep. In theta we are in a waking dream, vivid imagery flashes before the mind's eye and we are receptive to information beyond our normal conscious awareness. During the Theta state many find they are capable of comprehending advanced concepts and relationships that become incomprehensible when returning to Alpha or Beta states. Theta has also been identified as the gateway to learning and memory. Theta meditation increases creativity, enhances learning, reduces stress and awakens intuition and other extrasensory perception skills. When the brain is in Theta it appears to balance sodium/potassium ratios which are responsible for the transport of chemicals through brain cell membranes. This appears to play a role in rejuvenating the fatigued brain.
4. Delta waves range between 0-4 HZ. Delta is associated with deep sleep. In addition, certain frequencies in the delta range trigger the release of Growth Hormone beneficial for healing and regeneration. This is why sleep, deep restorative sleep is so essential to the healing process.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by ANN [1003.516] on December 22, 2005 at 12:56:43:
Ok...Pollyanna it is.
I will try to rent it over the holidays....Funny..I had
a crush on Hayley when I was a kid...
Acceptance....hmmn....I find it hard to accept much of what I see in the world..but I am getting better at it.
No big worries about Death...or money, or any of the usual things....simply a poor reaction to stress..even
everyday things like seeing my kids behaving poorly or
discovering I didn`t get some contract.
I have done major dietary things that have done great stuff for me...no more hypoglycemic feelings. Eliminating sugar, caffeine and alcohol have been really positive...but I still find myself feeling less calm than when I was consuming all that junk....weird.
I don`t really obsess about meditating correctly...just
find that it is a bit annoying to to come to some peaceful place easily....my brain is always in hyper alert mode.
A few years ago I did go through a series of extreme
stresses that certainly fried some internal wiring...
I am a lot better than I was but with all this healthy
living and SR I am a little disappointed that I still
react poorly to stress.
Any other ideas.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 15:43:47:
I think perception is a big part of stress. Like, are your kids really behaving poorly and compared to what standard-the way you were 20 years ago or the what their peers are. When I was pregnant the first time, I was tutoring the children of a woman who was heavily into scientology-she told me that they believed that misbehavior was usually due to a child being tired, hungry, or constipated. While I didn't get into her religion, I did let that tidbit color my own perspective, and I tend to look at my kids' behavior and look for a cause behind it. I try to address the cause. Also, sometimes you need to just non-critically explain that there IS something wrong with their behavior and what that something is (try to explain in terms of how behaving differently makes others feel better, rather than in terms of how bad the kid looks or sounds. Not, people will think you're a brat (why is dad so uptight about the opinions of others) but the positive benefits of their behaving differently (that poor old lady looks so unhappy that she dropped her groceries when you skateboarded past her on the sidewalk).
Parents often assume the schools will teach their kids manners, either explicitly, or through this big social interaction with others, and it doesn't happen- the kids have 20 other kids as bad examples and only one teacher as (we hope) a good example.
So, maybe your kids' behavior has to do with this heavy peer environment they are in a big chunk of their time-you counteract that with having them spend time with positive role models (parents, grandparents, etc).
The hungry/tired/constipated causes are more appropriate for the younger kids, who can't communicate their needs well, but even older kids often fail to notice that they are tired. And, of course, with the hunger thing goes other intake problems- food intolerances. Both my husband and one type O son have a great improvement in behavior and self-discipline when they are off wheat. the kid needed to get off gluten, too.Neither eats dairy (another behaior problem for some people) My husband was very reactive to mercury, and had his fillings out which improved his demeanor.
Of course, if your kids are hitting puberty (some girls as young as 8 now), there are chemical variations happening inside them that can mess with their self-control, but you control what variables you can through diet and supplementation (omega 3's and sunshine help a lot).
Prevention magazine mentioned that kids are more likely to smoke and drink, even if their parents don't smoke and drink, if they watch R rated movies. Are you controlling the examples they get on television and in movies you bring home? Even PG-13 movies have a lot of brat behavior.If you sit there watching tv with them, the role model is on tv, not on the couch beside them- your time together should be active, where you get a chance to shine.
Disappointment in losing a contract? Treat it as a learning experience. Send out questionnaires about what that client is looking for in a contractor. You may be emphasizing what you think is most important and they may have a totally different perspective as to what's important-this will vary with client, but, over time, you may see some points repeated by several clients and recognize areas in which you could change or present your plan differently.
I know you're familiar with bidding on e-bay. Sometimes there is a buy it now for more than I want to pay. Some bidders would put in a minimum bid early in the listing to get rid of the buy it now. I always wait till the last few hours before the item ends to put in my minimum. If the seller can get that high price for the item, I figure- good for them. If there's a buyer so desperate for the item, or needs it so soon, that they are willing to pay that, I think they should be able to buy it- I don't want to screw it up for those two people. If, however, Fate has it in store that that item was meant to belong to me, it will go for what I'm willing to pay or less. I let the universe decide whether I should really buy that item or not, just as the universe decides which contracts are right for you-when you lose a contract, some intelligence is actually trying to do you a favor and send you in another direction or to another client. You stress because you don't believe that yet.
No, I'm not on drugs, but do you remember Desiderata?too young?here's part of it:
you are a child
of the universe
no less than the moon and stars
you have a right
to be here
and whether or not
it is clear to you
no doubt the universe
is unfolding
as it should
Oh, another thought about kids. My SIL referred to hers as 'booger'
when our first was born, my husband would ask how the little monster was. I'd say, 'you mean the angelic child' He took that expression up and referred to the kid as the angelic child. I'd address the kid, as he got older, as 'sweet boy' Nowadays, I call them 'child of the universe part 1', 'child of the universe part 2' etc.
Concept is self-fulfilling prophecy. Don't call them what you don't want them to be. no 'what a brat' or 'BAD boy'-they may start viewing themselves as that.
I address my crew as 'gentlemen' when we are out and I want to get their attention. Yes, one of them will say, "who are you talking to?", but that means he was actually listening, y'know?
Yes, don't rent, BUY the Haley Mills version of Pollyanna- you should see it repeatedly- so should your kids. Also, a more recent film, Bruce Almighty- also about acceptance (BTW, the books I mentioned about death are also about acceptance).
In Reply to: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paul C [1041.1617] on December 21, 2005 at 21:31:30:
Some further info to add to the mix.....
ttp://www.snr-jnt.org/JournalNT/JNT(2-2)3.html
Treatment of Chronic Anxiety Disorder with Neurotherapy:
A Case Study
Joseph E. Thomas, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Sattlberger, B.A.
The objective of the present case study is to report the effects of
alpha-decrease biofeedback training on a patient diagnosed with Anxiety
Disorder Three Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories (MMPI and
MMPI-2) were used as objective measures of treatment efficacy. Following
15 sessions of slow wave inhibit/fast wave increase EEG feedback
training, the patient reported a significant reduction in
anxiety-related symptoms. At three-year follow-up, results of an MMPI-2
showed all clinical scales within normal range. In addition,
se!f-reports confirmed that the patient was symptom free. After treating
the patient with several other clinical modalities, only the
alpha-decrease feedback training produced effective, long-term
improvement of symptoms.
Conventional wisdom suggests that an anxious person needs to be calmed
down. In addition to traditional psychotherapy and drug therapy,
treatments of anxiety disorders include low arousal training methods,
such as progressive relaxation, autogenic training, meditation, and
biofeedback. In biofeedback training, the modalities most commonly used
are electromyogram (EMG) feedback to reduce muscle tension, thermal
feedback to reduce vascular tension, and electroencephalogram (EEG)
feedback to reduce cerebral tension.
The early history of EEG biofeedback in the treatment of psychological
disorders was based on the observations of individuals in altered states
of consciousness (Schwartz, 1987). Individuals in meditative states
exhibited high-amplitude alpha activity and a deeply relaxed
psychological and physiological state. Based on these observations,
biofeedback training focused on increasing alpha activity for patients
with anxiety disorders. Hardt and Kamiya (1978) reported that training
to increase EEG alpha had a distinct axiolytic effect at least in
subdinical anxious college students. However, Plotkin and Rice (1981)
found that EEG alpha increase as well as EEG alpha decrease had an
anxiety-reducing effect on a similar population. It was found that some
people with high alpha amplitude also reported high levels of anxiety.
In view of this inconsistency, EEG biofeedback in the treatment of
anxiety disorders was largely given up by clinicians in favor of EMG
biofeedback. However, EMG training also found conflicting results in
reducing anxiety Raskin, Johnson, and Rondestradt (1970) used EMG
training on seven patients. Of the seven, six patients showed no
improvement in anxiety symptoms.
In another study by Rice, Blanchard, and Purcell (1993), comparing
frontal EMG biofeedback to EEG biofeedback (training either to increase
or decrease alpha activity), researchers found that, although all three
training methods worked in reducing anxiety, "only alpha-increase
biofeedback subjects showed significant reductions in heart rate
reactivity to stressors at a separate psychophysiological testing
session" (Rice et al., 1993, p. 93).
Hurley and Meminger (1992) suggest that these inconsistencies can be
attributed to the way anxiety is assessed in individual patients (state
versus trait anxiety) and the actual length of treatment, with longer
periods of treatment reducing anxiety more effectively.
We have successfully treated six patients suffering from Chronic Anxiety
who exhibited abnormally high levels of slow wave activity by training
them to inhibit theta/alpha and increase beta. The following case study
was selected for two reasons: (a) The patient has a lifelong history of
symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety, and (b) the patient,was handled
with a variety of treatment modalities in our office over a span of
twelve years, before initiation of alpha-decrease EEG training. In
addition, we were able to follow up with the patient to assure
maintenance of recovery The purpose of this case study is to show that
alphadecrease EEG training is effective in treating anxiety when the
patient already exhibits abnormally high alpha wave activity and to
suggest a differential treatment approach to treating anxiety, based on
the individual patient.
Method
Subject
The patient was a self-referred, married, white female who sought
treatment with us in April, 1981 and continued to see us for therapy
until October, 1993. At the time of initial evaluation, she was
31-years-old. Presenting complaints included nervousness, low
self-esteem, fears of eating and choking on food, numbness in the left
arm, and a "bubbling" sensation in the throat. In addition, she
complained of having difficulty breathing and a fear of getting dizzy
whenever she felt nervous. The patient reported that she had always been
a nervous person, but the current anxiety symptoms started two years ago
during her last pregnancy, when she developed a fear of being "fat and
ugly" This was followed by a panic attack suffered at a party Soon she
developed a fear of swallowing certain kinds of solid foods such as
chicken, sausage, lettuce, and celery. A medical evaluation showed no
physical basis for the presenting complaints.
Birth, infancy, and childhood were reported to be unremarkable. The
patient's parents were both alive at the time of initial evaluation. The
patient has an older brother and a younger sister. His own psychiatrist
previously diagnosed her brother with Panic Disorder. The patient
reported that her parents as well as her siblings have "nervous"
problems. The father is a perfectionist and experienced periods of panic
whenever he was home alone. The mother suffered a nervous breakdown
after her first pregnancy, similar to what the patient reported after
her most recent pregnancy The nervous breakdown suffered by the mother
was reported to be a brief episode and she enjoyed good health until
dying of cancer in 1984.
Measures
Three Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories (MMPI and MMPI-2)
were administered during the course of therapy: (a) the first at
initiation of therapy (1981), (b) the second following alpha-decrease
EEG training (1993), and (c) the third at three year follow-up (1996).
This measure was selected as a means of evaluating the patient's
presenting complaints and assessing the effectiveness of treatment.
In addition, self-reports and interviews with the patient's husband were
used at the end of EEG training and at follow-up to further assess the
efficacy of therapy
Treatment
After an evaluation interview and two sessions of progressive relaxation
training, the first MMPI (see Table 1), was administered. The patient's
MMPI profile (Welsh Code 2" 7'036-814/95:F/K:L) showed significant
elevations on Scale 2 (T-score 82) and Scale 7 (T-Score 73), and near
significant score on Scale 0 (T-score 73). On the basis of her
presenting complaints, her psychiatric history and her MMPI profile, we
gave a diagnosis of Anxiety Disorder with Passive Dependent Personality.
Although the patient scored high on Scale 2 (Depression), the depressive
features seen on the MMPI could only be secondary to the chronic panic
attacks, anxiety, and phobic conditions.
Previous treatments consisted of psychopharmacological interventions
with no significant relief of symptoms. At the time the patient was
referred to us, she was taking Xanax (5 mg daily). She continued her
medication in consultation with her physician during part of her
psychological therapies. However, she was not known to be using any
medication during the time she underwent neurotherapy.
The initial treatment plan consisted of low arousal training followed by
psychotherapy Over the course of twelve years, various methods were
attempted to relieve anxiety symptoms, including: (a) an adaptation of
Jacobson's progressive relaxation technique, (b) EMG biofeedback, (c)
thermal biofeedback (right and left digitalis), (d) Wolpe's systematic
desensitization, (e) assertiveness training, (f) hypnotherapy, (g)
visualization, and (h) cognitive behavioral therapy Relaxation practice
gave the patient only a transient feeling of calmness and there was no
carry over into her daily life. The patient showed very little response
to any insightoriented psychodynamic therapy and attempts in that
direction proved unproductive.
The patient's fear of eating subsided gradually in response to
systematic desensitization and therapy was discontinued in September
1983. Six months later, the patient returned with complaints of anxiety
and severe marital problems. The patient was currently going through a
separation and divorce. She had started working again, however, she was
experiencing episodes of anxiety, and every new situation was
overwhelming to her.
The patient remained at her current job, although she was dissatisfied
with her employment. Fear of new changes inhibited her from interviewing
for a new job, transferring to another division, or accepting a
promotion.
Anxiety surged to a new high when the patient started dating again. She
was petrified of contracting AIDS and avoided all physical contact.
During this time, she continued to seek psychotherapy treatments two to
three times per month. The treatment approach was mostly cognitive
behavioral. The patient responded well during therapy sessions, but
could not translate this into everyday life. She experienced panic
attacks and anxiety when the next situation presented itself, sometimes
experiencing symptoms within hours after a therapy session.
In November, 1991 we introduced the patient to EEG feedback training,
using the Lexicor Neurosearch-24, to relax and remove tension. The
original protocol was to increase alpha (8-12 Hz) and decrease beta
(16-20 Hz). Initial baseline readings showed that the patient's dominant
brain wave frequency was already alpha (amplitude greater than 35 Hz).
Based on this observation, it did not seem useful to increase alpha any
further. Instead, we introduced a new EEG protocol, focusing on
decreasing alpha and increasing beta.
The patient received weekly sessions of alpha-decrease/beta-increase
training. Feedback was contingent upon the presence of beta and the
suppression of alpha, EMG, and movement. The threshold was set at 40%
reward for beta and 60% inhibit for alpha. The threshold was increased
when the patient maintained 60% reward and 40% inhibit.
The Standard International (10-20) Electrode Placement System was used
for determining electrode placement (Jasper, 1958). Based on this
system, five Ag-AgCl electrodes were placed at the following locations:
(a) one at Mid-Frontal (Fz), (b) one at Mid-Parietal (Pz), (c) one at
Ground, and (d) one on each earlobe for reference. The two active
electrodes used for feedback training were Fz and Pz; all other
electrodes were neutral.
The patient received both audio and visual feedback. Aurally, the
patient heard a tone when the protocol was successfully met; visually,
the patient watched a computer screen which indicated when she met the
defined threshold. After 15 weekly EEG feedback sessions, treatment was
cut back to bimonthly sessions.
Results
After ten sessions of alpha-decrease/ beta-increase training, the
patient reported significant decreases in anxiety Four months after
initiation of therapy, the patient experienced a minor panic attack at
work. She reported that the attack was mild and that she was able to
pull herself together without any help. After 15 EEG feedback sessions,
the patient was able to accept and fulfill a new job assignment, which
did not evoke panic as it had in the past.
After therapy was cut back to one to two sessions per month, the
patient's progress continued to be steady. In January, 1993 she was able
to go for new job interviews and reported feeling free of anxiety. A
second MMPI-2 was administered at this time and showed a profile with
all clinical scales within normal range (see Table 1; Welsh code
4-3276189/05: K-F/L). A follow-up MMPI-2, done three years after
termination of therapy, also showed a normal profile (see Table 1; Welsh
code 349-27/01685: K-F/L). In a recent telephone interview, the patient
reported being symptom free as well as being able to handle her job,
marriage, and family life. In addition, two separate interviews with the
patient's husband confirmed the fact that the patient is functioning
well. Both of these interviews were conducted during the follow-up
period.
Table 1
Patient's Pre-treatment, Post-Treatment, and Follow-up MMPI and MMPI-2
T-Scores
Scales L
F
K
1
Hs 2
D 3
Hy 4
Pd 5
Mf 6
Pa 7
Pl 8
Sc 9
Ma 0
Si
Pre-treatment 46 58 48 54 82 63 53
43 62 73 55 43 69
Post-treatment 50 56 61 52 59 59 62
43 53 68 62 50 49
Follow-up 50 40 57 48 57 61 60
41 47 55 46 60 49
Note: Pre-treatment T-scores from MMPI, Post-treatment and Follow-up
T-scores from MMPI-2
Discussion
In our experience, we found that EEG alpha-increase is beneficial only
for patients who exhibit low amplitude alpha. Patients with anxiety who
show abnormally high levels of alpha at baseline readings do not respond
effectively to alpha-increase biofeedback. Instead, these patients
report a continuation or even an increase in anxiety with low arousal
training. Abatement of symptoms occurs only after these patients are
trained to decrease alpha activity It seems that the presence of
abnormally high levels of slow wave activity on a day-to-day basis leads
to an inability to organize one's cognitive, perceptual, and emotional
world. The anxiety in these patients arises when they are confronted
with a task or life event that they are unable to organize and handle
effectively, leading to feelings of helplessness and of being
overwhelmed. Furthermore, such patients do not respond well to
traditional psychotherapy, ruling out the possibility of unconscious
conflicts or traumas as a cause of anxiety.
This case report attempts to demonstrate the application of EEG feedback
to reduce anxiety by decreasing alpha- and increasing beta-wave activity
Although this study cannot resolve the inconsistent results reported in
EEG alpha feedback to treat anxiety (Plotkin & Rice, 1981; Raskin et
al., 1970), it may offer a basis of differentiation in therapeutic
technique. These findings may lend further support to the contention
that inconsistencies in the treatment of anxiety may be based upon the
way anxiety is assessed in patients (Hurley & Meminger, 1992). Further
studies should address the possible differences in brainwave activity in
anxiety sufferers as a basis for differential treatment.
It can be argued that the other treatment modalities (Jacobson's
Progressive Relaxation Technique, EMG biofeedback, Thermal biofeedback,
etc.) ameliorated the patient's anxiety However, it must be noted that
the patient suffered a relapse in symptoms six months after termination
of said treatment. Although her fear of eating subsided, other reported
physical complaints and symptoms of anxiety persisted. With the
introduction of the EEG alpha wave inhibit/beta wave increase
biofeedback, the patient showed significant reductions in symptoms
within a short period of time, suggesting a significant impact of
therapy. In addition, at three-year follow-up, there was no relapse of
detectable symptoms, suggesting a long-term effect of the therapy.
However, it should also be noted that an MMPI was not administered at
the beginning of alpha-decrease EEG feedback. As a result, we do not
have an objective measure of the patient's anxiety level and extent of
symptoms prior to initiation of this modality of treatment. But
clinically, prior to the introduction of the alpha wave inhibit/beta
wave increase biofeedback, the patient continued to report recurrent
panic reactions and pervasive anxiety The new modality of treatment
reported here was introduced only after other attempts at addressing the
problem proved unsuccessful. It is recommended that subsequent studies
should control for pre- and post-measurements of psychophysiologic and
psychological profiles to better assess the impact of therapy.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the same therapist carried out all
treatments referred to in this paper. Therefore, the improvement in the
patient's symptoms can be attributed to the slow wave inhibit/fast wave
increase biofeedback, and not to a therapist effect.
In conclusion, it is our impression that neither increasing nor
decreasing EEG alpha should be used as a uniform protocol for the
treatment of anxiety disorders. Instead, each case should be planned
individually, depending upon patient history and baseline EEG patterns.
Finding a balance in the EEG pattern may be more important than
increasing or decreasing EEG alpha. A controlled study on a larger
population is strongly recommended and our observations are only
suggestive of the need for a differential approach to neurotherapy.
References
Graham, J. R. (1993). MMPI-2 Assessing personality and psychopathology
(2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Hardt, J. V, & Kamiya, J. (1978). Anxiety change through
electroencephalographic alpha feedback seen only in high anxiety
subjects. Science, 201, 79-81.
Heide, F. J., & Borkovec, T D. (1983). Relaxation induced anxiety:
Paradoxical anxiety enhancement due to relaxation training. Journal of
Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51, 171-182.
Hurley, J.D., & Meminger, S. R. (1992). A relapse-prevention program:
Effects of electromyographic training on high and low levels of state
and trait anxiety. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 74, 699705.
Jasper, H. H. (1958). The ten-twenty electrode system of the
international federation. Electroencephalography and Clinical
Neurophysiology, 10, 371-375.
Plotkin, W B., & Rice, K. M. (1981). Biofeedback as a placebo: Anxiety
reduction facilitated by training in either suppression or enhancement
of alpha brain waves. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 49,
590-96.
Rice, K. M., Blanchard, E. B., & Purcell, M. (1993). Biofeedback
treatments of generalized anxiety disorder: Preliminary results.
Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 18(2), 93-104.
Schwartz, M. S. (1987). Biofeedback. New York: The Guilford Press.
About the authors:
Joseph E. Thomas, Ph.D. is a registered Clinical Psychologicst in
private practice. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Kerala,
India in 1969. He completed a two-year post-doctoral Fellowship in
Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern
University Medical School from 1971-1972. Since 1973 he has been a
member of the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences at Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago. He has
worked as a psychologist at the University of Chicago and at the
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He is a past President of the
Biofeedback Society of Illinois. His past research publications have
been on the MMPI, Depression, Hysteria (Psychological Studies), and Pain
Management in Sickle Cell Disease (Biofeedback and Self-Regulation).
Elizabeth Sattlberger graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from
Northwestern University. She is currently working with Dr. J. Peter
Rosenfeld in the Psychophysiology Lab at Northwestern University,
Evanston, Illinois and has participated in research studies being
conducted in the Neuropsychology Services Department at Evanston
Hospital. She is also working with cancer patients at the Block Medical
Center in Evanston, investigating psychosocial oncology.
Address correspondence to: Joseph E. Thomas, Ph.D. at 16W731 89th Place,
Hinsdale, Illinois 60521.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by ANN [1003.516] on December 22, 2005 at 17:25:00:
Thanks for the lengthy thoughts...
My children are actually NORMAL kids and their behaviour is just the regular stuff...I was probably far more
troublesome to my parents...
Thats the odd part. My overreaction has no basis in reality.
I have been tested for a zillion different health causes
for this and every last time I come back in range. I was
actually hoping to find some lack of Alpha so I could pin in on that...but nope.
Stress at losing a contract...you`re right, and I do
take that position much of the time. I am, in fact mostly offended by the general population`s lack of
understanding re the visual arts....but I`m not so far
gone as to cut off an ear yet....lol.
RE Desiderata....right in my age bracket...lol. Always thought it was corny...still do...but maybe a little less now.
Acceptance....hmmn....that would be tough for me...I have made a point of going beyond and succeeding at a range of endevours. Perhaps that characteristic is
what burns a lot of worthwhile people out...food for thought indeed.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 15:14:41:
Here's another -- getting green light while you're traveling.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 19:08:57:
Hi Paul. This conversation between you and Ann is very interesting and heartwarming. The very fact that you realize your stress(es) and worries is the biggest step in the process of eliminating them and I think for all of us it is a life-time process. You appear to have come a long way yet you are dissatisfied that you haven't reached the top of the mountain. Perhaps it's time to stop and reflect on how far you've come, and maybe even give yourself a pat on the back.
I use positive affirmations, and while I'm not even close to being perfect at stopping those offending thoughts and worries--they creep through with astounding wileness--when I do catch them I stop them with affirmations. I've found nothing else works for me. In that vein, you might want to take a look at Louise L. Hay's books on affirmations if you need help gathering affirmations for yourself (I sure needed help). The first affirmation she suggests and a very easy one to remember and use is, "I approve of myself."
Thank you, Paul, and you, Ann, for such an interesting thread. Ann, if you're reading this, you are such a good person, so generous and loving, it comes through in everything you write.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by ANN [1003.516] on December 22, 2005 at 17:25:00:
Hey Ann,
Just wondering about the Polyanna concept and if you could elaborate on it's usefulness.
I actually have a little hang up about this movie. During elementary school we were always shown a movie on the last day of school and Polyanna was shown to us when I was in the 4th grade.
I cried and cried and cried. Couldn't stop. It was soooo embarrassing. My teacher told me " It's just a movie" but once I started I just couldn't stop.
My mom and dad love this movie and I bought it for them as a present one year but not sure I want to be reminded of my embarrassment as a child by watching it again.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2321] on December 22, 2005 at 20:42:26:
Affirmations..hmmmn..I can`t help but conjure up the
vision of Stew on SNL from a few years back, sitting in
front of his mirror chanting....I`m good enough, I`m smart enough and I`m a really nice person...lololol.
Kidding aside, yes, I do reflect on how far I have come
along.....as we all should.
I consider my health improvements with pride as I now know more about myself than any of the 20 or so doctors
who tried to figure me out. Not surprising perhaps, given that it should be easier to figure out the leaks in a boat if you are in the engine room instead of looking at a computer model.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. ?????????? posted by R. [4746.2395] on December 22, 2005 at 11:55:04:
Possible, R.
However, if that is the case, he should have been given 2 sets of numbers for each then: one for readings at the beginning of practice and one for readings at the end.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. ?????????? posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 15:29:29:
Thanks, Paulc.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. ?????????? posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 23, 2005 at 07:10:46:
Walt,
Here is a link explaining the type of system she is
using. It is a little different than typical biofeedback
in that it is not simply galvanic skin response but a set
of probes connected to the head and targetting specific
brain sectors.
http://www.eegspectrum.com/FAQ/
Yes, I have seen a chart showing my Alpha dropping and my Beta gradually rising.
My point to this whole thread is that there may be a
possibility that just raising Alpha is not the key. Please see the top post I just added for more on this
topic and a somewhat different take on the notion that
Alpha is the goal of all brain improvement.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 23, 2005 at 07:44:21:
Thank YOU Walt...and Merry Christmas.
Still wouldn`t mind a thought on my last post just below
as it questions some core beliefs about meditation....
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 18:37:12:
Now that I reread this it occurs to me that there was
a person on the board a few months back who said that
meditation actually made him feel worse....hmmmmnn. I wonder if this was his issue. So much to know about the
brain..so little time.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. ?????????? posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 15:29:29:
Fascinating, Paul. Thank you.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 23, 2005 at 06:08:46:
I remember a scene like that on SNL- some Black guy who I took to be a super achiever in sports (I'm not very up on sports). Loved the bit, though.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2321] on December 22, 2005 at 20:42:26:
thanks, can always use some kind words.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by D [2017.1351] on December 22, 2005 at 22:10:38:
I've always loved this movie-saw it when I was a kid. Made sure to buy it for my kids, along with ANNIE (the version with Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters- don't know why they tried a remake- no one could hope to match those two ladies).
The perspective is what really hit me in Pollyanna-being glad for crutches because you didn't need them (when hoping for a doll)- the teaching the old hypocondriac and the isolated old man to see their worlds differently- the finding something to like about Sunday (because it's a whole 7 days before it comes around again). It taught me to look at things differently (often annoyingly to those around me, but, I hope, someday, they'll get through that annoyance and learn a little of what works for me, because I think it cvan help others).
I doubt if they show this movie in school anymore, due to there being a sermon in it, so I encourage people to have it in their homes.
Julia Sweeney's one woman show, God Said HA! is another masterpiece on perspective.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 19:08:57:
Well, if the kids aren't really that bad, then enjoy them- sit back and watch them like a relaxing movie that you can just enjoy and not think a lot about.
Anyway, if you feel you are overreacting to the kids, set up a codeword for your wife to tell you to remind you of that when you start overreacting, so you can stop and think about the situation at the time.
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by R. [4746.2395] on December 22, 2005 at 19:45:51:
That is pretty subjective, R. When I was thinking about buying a certain type of car, I would see them all over the place. Now that I've decided against that model, I haven't seen a one. more accurate to say that my mind hasn't brought it to my attention. Anyway, I have noticed that people of pure intention eventually seem to get what they are focusing on. But, the whole manifesting thing comes into question, when one of its chief gurus, Wayne Dyer, manifests himself right into a heart attack. With parking spaces, if we try a little harder, look a little longer, notice our successes, perhaps it may seem that the heavens are providing. I know people who would scoff at the whole manifesting paradigm, yet they will tell you that they always find a parking space.
BTW, didn't you go to a seminar (Russian I think, but I forget the name) some time back that was supposed to be the keys to the manifesting kingdom? Anything to report?
In Reply to: Re: Alpha/Beta......unusual readings. posted by Paulc [1041.1617] on December 22, 2005 at 19:08:57:
Hi Paul,
Have you looked into byron katie's stuff? She has a simple method you might find interesting and useful. Deals with minding our own selfs and not expecting to have others act as we think they "should."
Also I think everyone can probably find going through the Sedona Methods, 9(?) emotions, helpful.
Perhaps explore John Sarno's theories.
Have you tried self-hypnosis
My personal opinion is that when someone has an adverse reaction to SR, it is probably because there is some stuff in there, that the mind wants to suppress...or in other words..protect you from.
That was in reference to your thoughts on the other person who paniced at SR, not you.
What did your practitioner say about your readings? Can you write to the parent company to find more clues?
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