Bipolar Disorder
Shifting of moods from depressive disposition to an elated frame of mind is a very common indicator of bipolar disorder. Patients suffering from this condition may experience two phases: a depressed state and a manic state.
The depressed state is characterized by sad or hopeless feelings, anger and frustration as well as irritability in varying degrees of severity. There is also a noticeable change in sleep and appetite, tiredness, feelings of worthlessness and loss of interest in pleasurable endeavors. Should the patient express thoughts of suicide or perform gestures of such a nature, it should be taken seriously and intervention sought.
This disorder has varying degrees of severity. Presence of the manic phase characterizes the difference between the two main types of bipolar disorder. The hypomanic phase involves an increase in grandiose thinking, talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, distractibility and excessive need to indulge in activities that are likely to produce painful consequences. The manic phase is more severe and causes a marked impairment in functioning and may require hospitalization.
Because the disorder is resistant to many medications, finding the best pharmacological intervention can prove daunting and difficult. These individuals suffer from the loss of functional lives with the constant mood swings and disrupted personal relationships. Often hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations are necessary and provide temporary relief of the symptoms.
Neurofeedback can help patients with bipolar disorder. An instability in the brain of patients with this mental condition responds to the therapy as it stabilizes their brainwave activity, reducing the severity of the mood disorder. With continued therapy, the frequency of mood swings will reduce as the patients are able to sustain mood stability.
Patients visit us from Bucks, Montgomery, Mercer, Burlington and Philadelphia counties, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
If compassionate care for bipolar disorder is what you’re looking for, please contact our friendly office staff at 215.321.9502 with your questions or scheduling needs. For your convenience, you can use our online Request an Appointment form.
Treatement of Anxiety
Anxiety is an all-encompassing term that pertains to a wide range of disorders, including worrying, hyper-vigilance and fear of a pervasive nature. Individuals struggling with anxiety may also experience panic attack, various phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a persistent disorder, anxiety can be disruptive in one’s everyday life. Normal functioning is impaired, which may permeate into the sufferer’s personal, professional and social life.
Individuals may experience different forms of anxiety, such as:
- Panic attack
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Various phobias
All of these conditions interfere with normal functioning at home, work or school. The degree to which they interfere can be financially and emotionally disruptive. Sometimes medical conditions are underlying causes and a thorough physical evaluation is recommended. Anxiety disorders may accompany depression and can impair social, occupational or interpersonal functions.
Neurofeedback is very effective with anxiety
With this therapy method, the brain is guided to regulate itself, allowing better changes to improve function. Neurofeedback produces a calming effect, which makes it a wonderful stress management tool.
Those who do neurofeedback training gain control and significantly reduce or eliminate anxiety or panic and reduce medication. The brain learns to function calmly, eliminating any hyper-arousal that accompanies anxiety. Additional psychotherapy, stress management and relaxation training will ensure skill building for handling stressors.
With psychotherapy and counseling therapy, neurofeedback can produce magnificent results in individuals struggling with depression and its symptoms.
Experience highly attentive and compassionate care for anxiety at Achievement & Wellness Center. Patients come to us from Richboro, Holland, Hamilton Township, Yardley, Newtown and neighboring areas.
To learn more about our treatment solutions for anxiety, please contact our friendly office staff at 215.321.9502 with your questions or scheduling needs. For your convenience, you can use our online Request an Appointment form.
Parkinson’s appears to be another disease of neural dysregulation. Research in neurofeedback has been studying the effects of brain training on brainwave patterns to reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s. This research combines neurofeedback with heart rate variability training. It is believed that a successful treatment plan can be developed.
Research is ongoing. Progress will be updated and reported as it becomes available.
ADD/ADHD Treatment Info
Distractibility, impulsivity and inability to maintain attention are most common behaviors associated with ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder). Specific features of inattention include lack of focus, difficulty organizing, losing things, being forgetful of daily activities and more. Specific features of hyperactivity include fidgetiness, inability to wait one’s turn, difficulty remaining seated, talking excessively and more. The features of inattention and hyperactivity can occur alone or together, which leads to more specific diagnostic categories.
Individuals can display behaviors of ADD (inattention), ADHD (hyperactivity) or a combined form of both. When a behavior checklist of observations is the basis for the diagnosis, other disorders can easily be overlooked. Objective measures are more accurate and effective in identifying ADD and ADHD.
Even though the conditions of inattention and hyperactivity are often categorized as behavioral problems, they are actually arousal conditions in the brain. Using EEG neurofeedback, Dr. Di Donato can effect changes in the underlying causes of ADD and ADHD. This amazing method can improve attention and arousal without medication. And, since the problem seems like a computer game, neurofeedback is suitable for children.
Why neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback guides the brain to maintain focus, become calm and remain in control. This therapy method is focused on directing the brain’s rhythm to achieve efficiency.
Research reveals that patients have improved their ability to focus by as much as 85 percent. As a result, they experienced a decrease in symptoms – often with reduced or no medication. Brainwave disregulation is the basis for ADD and ADHD behaviors. Neurofeedback trains the brain to become focused, calm and in control. Training the rhythm of the brain improves the efficiency of the brain.
Treatment time depends on the seriousness or complexity of the condition; also taken into consideration is the patient’s commitment to treatment.
Neurofeedback has been approved as a level one treatment for ADD and ADHD by the American Academy of Pediatics.
Quantitative electroencephalograms (QEEG) have been approved by the FDA as a diagnostic tool for ADD and ADHD.
Discover complete and advanced treatment for ADD and ADHD at Achievement & Wellness Center. Our patients come to us from Bucks, Montgomery, Mercer, Burlington and Philadelphia counties, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
To learn more about our treatment solutions for ADD or ADHD, please contact our friendly office staff at 215.321.9502 with your questions or scheduling needs. For your convenience, you can use our online Request an Appointment form.
Leading-Edge Help for Many Problems
Discover today’s most effective treatment solutions for a wide variety of conditions and life challenges, including:
- ADD or ADHD
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Grief & Bereavement
- Learning disabilities
- Migraines
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Pain management
- Peak performance enhancement
- Raynaud's Syndrome
- Seizure
- Stroke or traumatic brain injury (including concussion)
- Tic disorder or Tourette’s syndrome
- Parkinson’s disease
Specialized training, technology & treatments
We have specialized training and technology in the fields of neuropsychology and neurofeedback that are unique to our specialty and geographic area. We use quantitative EEG that allows Dr. Di Donato to see where brain wave imbalances are. Then we employ brain wave and connectivity training using a highly specialized treatment plan for each patient’s unique condition. We use heart rate variability (HRV) to create an alignment and connection between your mind and heart, and awaken the higher mental, emotional and spiritual capacities that are dormant within you. We also use neuropsychological evaluations to treat ADD and ADHD. The happy end result of our proven neuropsychology and neurofeedback therapies is that our patients overcome their disorders and life challenges and go on to lead happy, well-balanced lives.
Achievement & Wellness Center's service area includes Bucks, Montgomery, Mercer, Burlington and Philadelphia counties, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
You can overcome these challenges with Dr. Di Donato’s help. To make your appointment, please contact Achievement & Wellness Center at 215.321.9502. For your convenience, you can use our online Request an Appointment form.