Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, was officially recognized in 1980 and included as an anxiety disorder in the 3rd edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. PTSD may be diagnosed following experiencing or witnessing any event or events that are “outside the range of usual human experience.”
PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. The most common symptoms include: flashbacks, hypervigilance, anger, mood changes, anxiety, hopelessness, sadness, intense fear, intrusive thoughts about the event or events, poor sleep, nightmares and somatic disturbances.
Unfortunately, these symptoms can become so significant that the individual contemplates or attempts ending his/her life: The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that a person with PTSD is six times more likely to attempt suicide than a person without this disorder.
In seeking solutions to promote recovery for people who experience symptoms of PTSD, New Vitae Wellness and Recovery is proud to be preparing to introduce BrainPaint as another recovery support. BrainPaint is an evidence-based method of recording and evaluating the electrical activity in the brain while a person is engaged in focused activity. BrainPaint uses the role of the brain as the master regulator of our thoughts and behaviors, offering neurofeedback to provide cues on increased anxiety and other symptoms for treatment.
In the case of EEG biofeedback, (BrainPaint) software gives visual and audio feedback to provide an experience to the brain of enhanced function, specifically to improve its regulation of thoughts, feelings and focus.
What is a session like?
• The initial session will include a series of questions that can be asked by the trainer or therapist or the client can answer the questions in an interactive way with the Brain Paint system in order to identify neurological symptoms, including:
o Trauma-related hyperarousal (addictions, anxiety, panic, PTS)
o Under-arousal (depression, sleep disturbance, poor focus / attention
o Over-arousal (poor impulse control, aggression, sensory overload)
o Imbalances (TBI, chronic pain, fatigue, mood swings)
• Sensors are placed either on the ears or scalp or both; sensors pick up electrical activity output from the brain.
• Watch morphing fractal images created from your brain activity and be mindful of the graphs for 25-30 minutes; in this way, individuals can retrain their brains and bodies to experience mindful attentiveness and reduce the experience of symptoms.
BrainPaint replicates the implementation of the exact alpha/theta protocol shown to be effective in research for PTSD and for addictions. Protocols are updated as the patient makes progress over time. BrainPaint has also been used successfully to treat Depression, Addiction, TBI, ADD / ADHD, and Autism. Users report seeing improvements within 5-8 sessions, but 20-30 sessions are recommended for longer lasting results.
BrainPaint can reduce various disruptive symptoms and retrain a person’s brain to assist the mind, body and spirit toward realignment and steady state functioning.
For more information, please visit BrainPaint.com or contact the New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Center at 215-538-3403.
