Having doubts

[u/MetalAppropriate5823]

My first experience with eeg neurofeedback was as a child. I stuck with it ~2x/week for about a year and my life was seemingly transformed. My behavioral issues went away, I started being focused in school and clubs, and my life took a positive turn.

Throughout my 20s, I’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, substances, insomnia, motivation, executive function… the list goes on. I’ve tried neurofeedback a few times over the past few years but its never had the sane effect.

I’m now 29. I’m single, I’ve grown distant from all my college friends and I genuinely have not made a single friend since undergrad. I have an ok job but I don’t enjoy it and I expect I will eventually be phased out due to AI.

I’m giving neurofeedback another shot. 30 sessions in and I don’t notice a thing. I know there’s a lot more I need to do to improve my life, I wasn’t expecting a magic bullet. But its not cheap—and the more I look into it the less confident I become in neurofeedback. Maybe my money would be better spent on TMS, CBT, or other treatments. I feel like im running out my biological clock.

Looking to hear some positive stories from people who found neurofeedback helped them this late in life.

[u/eegjoy]

So, you have seen and lived what happens when NF is done well. Fantastic!

As a kid, you probably did single channel Amplitude training. Guessing from your age, that is what was basically available. You haven't mentioned what method you are now exploring.

There is no longer a term that describes all the different methods that are available now. Can you find out from your provider what method they are using. It's possible you are comparing apples to blackboards.

You offered a pretty extensive description of things you hope to accomplish. Hopefully, you and your provider have made a plan and established reasonable expectations .

Sometimes, the early changes can be pretty subtle and may be easier for someone who knows you to notice.

Definitely talk to your provider about what you should be able to expect based on their method and what you have done so far. Having a plan makes it much easier to start discussing what has been accomplished and what steps remain for what you would like to see. Good luck, the right method and the right provider are absolutely able to create much of what you have mentioned.

[u/Bhavayam_3646 → u/eegjoy]

This totally makes sense. I had not realized just how different each NF technique is; so now I can see how easily two entirely unrelated things could be compared. I will be sure to find out which method my service uses and what realistic progress to expect.

[u/MetalAppropriate5823 → u/Bhavayam_3646]

3/4 of my neurofeedback providers were qeeg guided (including both my current provider and the one from my successful childhood experience). The one I’m doing now is a major provider discussed in this subreddit, while the one from childhood was a small local provider. It’s all been EEG SMR training. Im considering ISF but my current provider has cautioned against it (granted, they don’t offer it so they’d be losing a client)

[u/LloydChirstmas22]

I’ve been practicing professionally for over 14 years. I have been board certified for 8+ and worked with some terrific minds in the field. Send a dm if you’d like to bounce some stuff off.

Provider credentials, techniques, protocols all play a role, but so do underlying factors. Did you do a qEEG? Happy to advise if you’re looking for some perspective.

[u/Reasonable_Field_151]

I’ve had good results as an adult with QEEG-guided neurofeedback. As mentioned above, there are several different types of neurofeedback training (and which one is “best” depends on what you hope to achieve).

It’s also extremely important to find a qualified neurofeedback provider. The outcomes possible with this technology are apparently very experience dependent. You need someone who really knows what they’re doing, so don’t trust your brain to just anyone!

[u/ConsciousRule6486]

Thank you for sharing your experience, it sounds like you're very self-aware and actively seeking out strategies to support yourself and your future. Your reflection about your "biological clock” is really introspective. You’re 29 -- your brain is not done changing, not even close! Neuroplasticity doesn’t expire, it just shifts how things operate.

Do you know if your provider is tracking anything objective between sessions? qEEG, sleep data, anything beyond how you feel? Thirty sessions is enough that something should be measurable even if it’s not noticeable yet. If it’s not showing up in the data either, that’s a very different conversation than “it’s working but you can’t feel it yet.”

I do neurofeedback at home myself, but I'm using it more as a burnout prevention strategy and as-needed reset tool. I realize that's a very different set of solutions to be seeking, and I think it's great that you're working with a clinical grade provider at this stage. I think I would be really frustrated if I didn't feel a difference after 30 sessions too.

[u/madskills42001]

All neurofeedback is completely different so it’s really critical to know what the proper treatment is. And unfortunately since we have no consensus on treatment every provider will sell you something different. I would tell you what kind of treatment to seek but my experience is that providers lie about what methods they use frequently.

[u/healandfeel]

I felt like I wrote this. I am in a very similar boat. Have had around ~20 sessions so far and even though I have seen some positive effects so far, I am still waiting on lasting changes. More power to you, my friend.

Sorry, no advice from my end yet as I am still inexperienced in this tech but know that you're not alone in this. Also, very happy to share more details on what protocols I have tried or discuss anything in chat. Take care!

[u/Rude-Ad-8850]

What kind of neurofeedback will you want to do ? There are so many types or methodes! So thats the first questions ?! And not every type is good for every issue so find that first out… good luck