Citation

Spreyermann R. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2022; 16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Frontiers Research Foundation)

DOI

10.3389/fnhum.2022.893830

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The practical use of a combination of trauma psychotherapy and neurofeedback [infra-low-frequency (ILF) neurofeedback and alpha-theta training] is described for the treatment of patients diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). The indication for this combined treatment is the persistence of symptoms of a hyper-aroused state, anxiety, and sleep disorders even with adequate trauma-focused psychotherapy and supportive medication, according to the Guidelines of the German Society of Psycho-Traumatology (DeGPT). Another indication for a supplementary treatment with neurofeedback is the persistence of dissociative symptoms. Last but not least, the neurofeedback treatment after a trauma-focused psychotherapy session helps to calm the trauma-related reactions and to process the memories. The process of the combined therapy is described and illustrated using two representative case reports. Overall, a rather satisfying result of this outpatient treatment program can be seen in the qualitative appraisal of 7 years of practical application. Copyright © 2022 Spreyermann.

Language: en

Keywords

memory; adult; human; trauma; female; training; case report; psychotherapy; depression; anxiety; helplessness; suicide attempt; posttraumatic stress disorder; dissociative disorder; outpatient; clinical practice; antidepressant agent; neuroleptic agent; clinical article; headache; rape; sleep disorder; panic; practice guideline; grief; mental patient; nightmare; hypnotic agent; traumatology; tinnitus; skin manifestation; psychotherapist; concentration loss; dizziness; memory disorder; Article; arousal; sleep quality; physical violence; neurofeedback; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); daydreaming; hyperarousal; C-PTSD; neurofeedback combined with psychotherapy; neurofeedback for PTSD