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2014Internet Addiction, ADHD and Depression
As the ease as well as need to access the internet increases in the age of technology due to academic and recreational reasons, it impacts extensively on multiple aspects of daily life. Internet addiction is now a recognised phenomenon, with various scales being developed in order to define the diagnostic criteria. This addiction may impact specific target groups differently, and of particular interest to this…
14
2017Better sleep, better brain: Maximise your kid’s brain
For many parents, the beginning signs of kids having poor sleep are rather innocuous and almost unnoticeable, until…. Your child may be slow to get out of bed and get ready for the day ahead, They may be more irritable and cranky than usual, You catch them falling asleep during the day, or they say they want to nap during the afternoon, The school grades…
12
2017Communication issues in people with ADHD
Research findings are showing that people with ADHD have problems with communication in ways that can make them present as very egocentric. These issues can have a major impact upon relationships and quality of life. A research study from the University of Waterloo finds that people with ADHD have a decreased ability to empathise with the perspective of their conversational partner. In two studies, participants…
12
2017Change your brain, enhance your happiness
Neurofeedback and brain modulation has been around for years, and there is a vast body of research that shows that the brains of people with low mood and depression are very different to a happy, well-functioning brain. Neurofeedback provides a means by which individuals can learn to voluntarily control their brain activity, and thereby increase certain types of brain waves associated with a positive mood,…
12
2017Not getting enough sleep? There’s a nap for that.
Smartphones have revolutionised the world in which we live, facilitating instant communication across oceans and continents or merely from the kitchen to upstairs. While this love affair with convenience is inevitably set to continue, there seems to be plenty of love lost for the hours without such stimulation and their importance in maintaining healthy brain function. Research has shown, consistent quality sleep spanning 7 –…
18
2017Neurofeedback AND post-traumatic stress disorder
Bessel Van Der Kolk has just published a paper in December 2016 which describes a wonderful new study he has conducted into the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He examined 52 individuals with chronic PTSD and found a significant drop in traumatic events. Post-treatment with neurofeedback he found a significantly smaller proportion of the participants met criteria for PTSD compared to those in the study that did not…
18
2017Neurofeedback and performance enhancement in elite athletes
A research study by Dr Dupee and colleagues, published in December 2016, explored the perceived outcomes of neurofeedback training intervention with high performance athletes. Five Olympic level athletes preparing for world championships and the 2012 Olympic Games took part in a 20 session intervention over the period of one year. At the completion of the intervention, an interview was conducted with each athlete. The athletes indicated…
11
2017The effects of gluten in children with ASD
The gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet is an alternative intervention that has been extensively used with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The GFCF diet involves the elimination of all foods containing gluten or casein (proteins found in wheat or barley products and dairy products, respectively). The intervention’s popularity is largely due to the ease of implementing it into the child’s (and family’s) day-to-day routine, the…
24
2016The Psychology of Happiness
Have you ever thought about what makes you happy? Considered why the things that used to make you happy might not anymore? Or maybe you have wondered why the things that make you happy aren’t the same things that make your friends and family happy? The psychology behind happiness has an immense amount of research backing it – but for some reason happiness is still seen…
30
2016Neurofeedback versus stimulant medication: Who is the winner?
ADHD is commonly combated with medication and this is because pharmaceutical methods have historically been considered the only efficacious treatment for this disorder. However neurofeedback has recently emerged as a complementary or even alternative treatment to medication. By training the patient to increase or decrease certain levels of cortical activation, symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity can be effectively decreased on a long-term basis with…
8
2016Depression and anxiety in young people: How effective are preventative efforts?
Depression and anxiety are very common in young people. Due to the nature of the two disorders, children and adolescents who experience depression often experience anxiety as well, and vice versa. Depression and anxiety tend to persist once established and impact negatively on one’s quality of life. Thus, it is important to focus on preventing depression and anxiety early on, such as in school settings….