Neurofeedback-assisted cognitive remediation therapy (NACRT) offers an exciting alternative (or addition) to pharmacotherapy. Psycho-stimulants (e.g. Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin) not only have a myriad of unacceptable side effects, but also keep the underlying condition unchanged, or even further deteriorate the situation by exacerbating the root causes of the problem.
- One of the most common causes of impaired attention span is anxiety which can be intensified out of control by (long-term use of) stimulants.
- In addition to inducing depression, stimulants can promote suicidal ideation, conduct disorder, and significantly increase substance use behavior.
- An academic peer-reviewed published article reported that 6 children among 98 treated with stimulants developed psychotic symptoms.
- Stimulants may trigger tics, involuntary muscle contractions, and sudden body jolts or sounds.
- Stimulants increase psychocutaneous disorders {e.g. trichotillomania (Impulsive urge to pull out their hair resulting in baldness), tactile hallucinations, delusional infestation, or belief that parasites inhabit one’s skin or body}
- Stimulants increase the risk of cardiac injury, particularly in athletes involved in prolonged training & exercise.
NACRT leverages cerebral adaptability (neuroplasticity) in order to bring about physical changes within the brain that enhance the child’s cognitive aptitudes and attention span. NACRT has been scientifically proven to improve attention span. Neurofeedback provides real-time sensory information on the speed and strength of the cortical electrical activity in order to accelerate brain training to achieve the goals set by the parents and therapists. The changes induced by NACRT are long-term and reduce inattentiveness, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and response inhibition