# Anyone done psychological counseling with Biofeedback? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483 "2003-12-02T13:07:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/1 "2003-12-02T13:07:24Z")
[window on my mental health] I have been having some issues with attention span and having thoughts (especially problems) get stuck in a repetative loop.[/window on my mental health] I’ve read a bit about biofeedback, but I don’t know anyone who has done it or knows more about it than I. There just so happens to be an English language shrink center down the street from me that specializes in [Biofeedback.](http://www.eegbiofeedback.cz/english/english.php) I am thinking about going, but I was just looking for random strangers opinion on the matter, as well as for info on where I can find out more about it. Thanks- -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/2 "2003-12-02T20:04:06Z")
bump… ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/3 "2003-12-02T20:33:51Z")
**Tom** - what exactly would you like to know. There is a Biofeedback lab at the college I teach at, as a matter of fact it is two floors down from my office. Biofeedback is a tool used by doctors and psychologist/psychiatrists to measure any of a number of factors in cognition on the biological level. It can tell us how your thought patterns are functioning in terms of any one of a number factors and states. You would like to get tested for ADD. This is something that would be better measured through a very simple written test. If you would like to be sure, a dopamine screen could be done for biologic origins to ADD. Email me if you’d like more pointed info… ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/4 "2003-12-02T23:15:22Z")
I actually worked for a biofeedback company for a few years. Attention span and concentration training is difficult and will take many sessions. Biofeedback sessions aren’t usually cheap either. If you’re going to do it, I recommend trying hand warming first. There are plenty of things you can use to measure the temperature of your hands. Find something that will give a fairly accurate readout and can show changes relatively quickly (there are numerous liquid crystal stickers designed for this. You can probably find one mounted on a card or adjustable band for less than it will cost to ship it to you. Radio Shack and the like occasionally carry a thermistor with digital readout for about $20). This is a good introduction to biofeedback and a good test on whether or not you’ll be able to benefit from it. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/5 "2003-12-03T00:36:47Z")
I went to a few sessions for ADD and even bought an EEG machine for kicks. I go into some detail here: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=217157&highlight=neurofeedback](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=217157&highlight=neurofeedback) Overall, it’s good but if you can get yourself to sit zazen (zen meditation) it will be a lot cheaper with most of the benefits and none of the drawbacks. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/6 "2003-12-03T02:26:41Z")
I had a session once as part of my regular talk therapy. I thought it was very interesting - the point was a relaxation exercise, and I can see how it would have worked, teaching myself to relax and all, until her “look at the lovely warm sand” story included “and then you see somebody who loves you unconditionally” and all the lines went through the roof. Oh well. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/7 "2003-12-03T19:22:38Z")
Thanks. **Phlospher** , email sent. Thank you. **Doc** warm hands? Whazzat? This is a system that basically is a video game you play with your brain waves. -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/8 "2003-12-04T03:43:40Z")
**Tomcat** More precisely, the system is basically a feedback device which can be used to learn control of certain neurological activity. Thermistors, lcd thermometers etc are feedback devices which can be used to learn control of vascular dilation and constriction. The first biofeedback session is usually spent not trying to bring the readings to a target, but trying to effect them at all. ‘I’m sitting here, looking at my brainwaves and nothing’s happening. What do I do?’ But, somebody who has spent time learning autoperipheral handwarming already knows how to control the readings. It’s just a matter of using that skill on a different function. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-psychological-counseling-with-biofeedback/216483/9 "2003-12-04T04:13:21Z")
I’m gettin the feeling you didn’t wade through that thread to get to my post (don’t blame ya) so I’ll quote it here: > [@](#): > > quote:Originally posted by newdadmarc > The question that I have is, this sounds very similar to an experiment I read about many moons ago with people using brain waves and bio feedback to control a cursor on a computer screen. People were taught how to use biofeedback to produce a specific brain wave pattern on a EEG which a computer would then translate to up, down, right, left. Is this an extension of that or are they using nerve impulses to control the hardware? > > > [@](#): > > > > I have an EEG at home (just of fun if you can believe it) and used to do this all the time. It had software to allow you to play certain simple games (Pac-Man type) and music depending on what frequencies, ratio of frequencies, location of frequencies, etc., you wanted to “reward.” The electrodes placed on the scalp are measuring the differences in electrical potentials across different areas on the scalp and the EEG machine is amplifying and transforming them. > > EEG machines typically record frequencies from .5 hz to 45 hz. and are usually broken down in to ranges associated with certain mental processes, moods, etc… I used to train 12-14hz, a range called SMR, which is typically associated with maximum attention with minimum physiological arousal. I would input a little midi melody (I used Ode to Joy) and “reward” myself with a note when I achieved certain percentages of SMR relative to other frequencies. The “song” would start over if I lost it, so the object was to try and keep the melody going for as long as possible though of course it was devoid of rhythm. > > EEG neurofeedback is now used to treat a number of ailments (ADD/ADHD, sleep disorders, brain injury rehab, epilepsy). For me, the pain in the ass of applying the electrodes outweighed my interest in getting through all of Beethoven’s 9th with my brainwaves so now the EEG machine sits in my closet gathering dust. > > If your going to make a case for telekinesis the electrical activity of the brain is probably the place to start but getting a tenth of a volt to arc across the room to change the channel is probably never gonna happen - that’s why we have remotes.