u/dogwater79

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TL,DR: some say alpha theta can be dangerous or destabilizing until I develop a sense of safety and regulation through other NFT, but another suggests I go straight to alpha theta since other protocols haven't been helpful.

Hello! I've been pursuing neurofeedback primarily to reduce constant rumination and to calm my nervous system (I have formally diagnosed treatment resistant MDD, GAD ADHD, OCD, and several therapists have informally diagnosed cPTSD).

I've done about 30 sessions - initially ISF (which did nothing), and then SMR (which has worsened symptoms). This practitioner thinks I should do at least 10 more sessions of SMR, and states that alpha theta is dangerous and destabilizing if my nervous system is not regulated. I'm feeling hesitant to do any more SMR because it is worsening my rumination, SH, and SI dangerously, but I've read many other practitioners who also suggest alpha theta can be dangerous and destabilizing without previous success calming the nervous system with other protocols.

Another practitioner reviewed my qeeg, and has suggested I go straight to alpha theta training.

Are there other "safer" options than alpha theta? Protocols that aren't risky that are strictly for calming dysregulation, other than ISF or SMR?

Best treatment for obsessions with no overt compulsions?

I have constant ruminating, obsessive thoughts from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, and even in my dreams. For years. It's torture.

What's the best treatment since there's no overt compulsions to prevent a response to?

I have minor random rules and physical compulsions from time to time, but I actually kind of invented ERP myself when I was a teenager, and can control/manage those easily.

But I can't manage to make myself not think about what I'm thinking. I don't see how ERP could be applied without an outward compulsion.

Treatment options when there is no outward compulsion? Or experience with successfully using ERP for covert compulsive thinking?

Edit to add: I also have MDD, GAD, ADHD, and PMDD, and all have been treatment resistant despite years of therapy, a million prescriptions, TMS, ketamine, psychedelics, neurofeedback, and other stuff. Nothing has ever helped. At all

I have constant ruminating, obsessive thoughts from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, and even in my dreams. For years. It's torture.

What's the best treatment since there's no overt compulsions to prevent a response to?

I have minor random rules and physical compulsions from time to time, but I actually kind of invented ERP myself when I was a teenager, and can control/manage those easily.

But I can't manage to make myself not think about what I'm thinking. I don't see how ERP could be applied without an outward compulsion.

Treatment options when there is no outward compulsion? Or experience with successfully using ERP for covert compulsive thinking?

TL,DR symptoms worsening significantly, including SI ad SH, but practitioner says this is common and we should continue without adjusting because people often feel worse before feeling better with neurofeedback.

I've been taking part in twice weekly neurofeedback for 4+ months, around 30 sessions, based on my qeeg. My main goal is to help with constant, unrelenting rumination, as well as anxiety and general dysregulation. I've been diagnosed with MDD, GAD, OCD, ADHD, and PMDD. I have not yet found relief from any of my symptoms despite years of trying many advanced treatments, including TMS, ketamine, psychedelics, every prescription, and hundreds and hundreds of hours of individual therapy.

There were no changes after about 20 sessions of ISF; ISF was chosen with the idea that it would be a bottoms-up approach at providing my system with a sense of safety and regulation before pursuing other nfb.

Since there was no improvement, we switched to SMR with it being described as a top-down road to safety and regulation. I've done 10+ sessions now.

My symptoms are worsening, and I am basically non-functioning. My rumination has become intolerable to the point that I cannot follow the plot of a children's movie, I struggle to complete basic home tasks, or follow conversations with my kids. I have increased pain and tension in my neck, jaw, shoulders and back, hips and pelvic floor. I'm exhausted and hopeless.

SI has increased drastically, as has SH - to a dangerous point.

My practitioner tells me this can be normal and expected. She indicated that I actually AM now feeling safe and regulated, but since safety/regulation is new to my brain and body, my nervous system is confused and incorrectly identifying unfamiliar with unsafe, and so I'm not yet perceiving the improvement.

She suggested I complete at least 10 more sessions of SMR.

If I supposedly "feel safe", but can't actually sense the safety, what's the point? It'd be like if somebody gave me a pill and told me "your depression has been cured, you just can't tell because your depression symptoms haven't changed"

Another practitioner looked at my QEEG and suggested alpha theta training. The first practitioner didn't want to do that until I was regulated and safe because it might be destabilizing, but I've heard others suggest it specifically to help feel more calm and regulated.

Thoughts?