Andrew

This case study focuses on Andrew, a 47-year-old man diagnosed with ADHD. Despite the effectiveness of his medication in managing his symptoms during the day, Andrew faced significant challenges with sleep onset and maintenance, leading to fatigue and reduced productivity. Seeking alternative interventions, Andrew decided to explore neurofeedback therapy to improve his sleep patterns.

Andrew had been using medications for several years, which effectively managed his ADHD symptoms. However, he struggled to fall asleep at night and experienced fragmented sleep, leading to morning tiredness. Although he had tried various interventions like melatonin, they provided only partial relief and caused daytime drowsiness. With a desire to enhance his sleep quality, Andrew opted for neurofeedback therapy.

QEEG Brain Mapping

Before commencing neurofeedback sessions, Andrew underwent QEEG brain mapping. The results revealed a fast peak alpha associated with racing thoughts and distractibility. Additionally, fast wave activity in different brain regions indicated difficulty with sleep onset and maintenance.

Progression

After the initial neurofeedback sessions, Andrew noticed that he was falling asleep quicker on nights when he had undergone the therapy. However, these effects were not long-lasting at first. As he continued with the treatment, by the fifth session, Andrew experienced improved focus and concentration, enabling him to sit through a two-hour movie uninterrupted – something he struggled with before. By the tenth session, Andrew was able to reduce his medication dosage while still maintaining better focus. Although there was concurrent improvement in sleep onset during this period, his sleep duration remained insufficient. However, by the fifteenth session, Andrew reported better quality sleep averaging around six hours per night. Despite this progress, he expressed a desire to further enhance his sleep duration.

Outcome

By the twentieth session of neurofeedback therapy, Andrew achieved consistent and improved sleep patterns throughout the night. He no longer experienced daytime fatigue and successfully discontinued his ADHD medication while maintaining focus at work and home. Additionally, Andrew was able to stop taking melatonin and still fall asleep within 5-10 minutes.

Continued Progress

Andrew continued with a few more neurofeedback sessions, and by the 30th session, he was consistently sleeping for seven hours each night. His focus remained sharp throughout the day, and he no longer experienced fatigue as before. Furthermore, Andrew reported feeling more relaxed in the evenings, allowing him to naturally wind down and fall asleep without any sleep aids.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy in addressing sleep issues and improving focus in an adult with ADHD. Andrew's journey highlights the progressive improvements he experienced over time, including reduced sleep onset time, increased sleep duration, improved focus at work and home, and the ability to discontinue medication and sleep aids successfully. Neurofeedback emerged as a valuable treatment option for individuals like Andrew who face challenges related to ADHD symptoms and disrupted sleep patterns.