It is estimated that one in every five adults will have at least one episode of major depression in their lifetime. But depression comes in many forms.

At one extreme end of the spectrum is severe clinical depression. Characteristics include profound despair, hopelessness, and the complete inability to take pleasure in anything (anhedonia). Severe depression may also cause cognitive confusion, memory loss, the inability to make simple decisions, and even forgetting where you are going after starting the car.

At the other end of the depression spectrum are people who are “mildly” depressed, or “dysthymic”, on a long-term, chronic basis. They may function well in the world, but feel uninspired and unfulfilled; that they are not living up to their potential. Like severely depressed patients, dysthymics are prone to persistent negative thinking, endless recrimination, and repetitive rumination.

The traditional treatment for depression has been medication and/or therapy, which can mean years of mixed efficacy. Clients may develop certain personal insights. But even “insight” doesn’t prevent negative or anxious thinking.

Some of us are learning that the belief that negative thinking causes depression is backwards. In reality the physical brain (not the mind) is more often than not the origin of negative thoughts. A depressed brain will generate depressing thoughts, not just the other way around. By working directly with the nervous system, Direct Neurofeedback can help. As such, Direct Neurofeedback offers a fresh approach to depression.

“Although reports to date on using neurofeedback for depression are case reports, they provide encouragement that neurofeedback has good potential for helping mildly to severely depressed patients. There are numerous clinical reports of neurofeedback effectiveness for depression…”

“…Based on clinical experience with more than 25 patients with mild depression, in which most of them have been followed for between 6 and 24 months, neurofeedback seemed to be successful in producing significant and enduring change in approximately 80% of the clients…”

“…There are widespread clinical reports of improvements in mood among children helped with neurofeedback. This further supports the idea that neurofeedback may be effective with childhood depression. Neurofeedback seems to involve minimal risk of side effects or adverse reactions, and it is less invasive than antidepressants or trans-cranial magnetic stimulation.”

Mild forms of depression typically remit quickly, with substantial changes usually seen within the first few sessions. Clients report feeling better, having fewer negative thoughts, less self-recrimination and much less self-blame. They isolate less and begin to have more energy and hope. We find that sessions with Direct Neurofeedback® for even moderately severe depression are also usually helpful.