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EEG: Conduct Disorders Case Study
4 Year Old Preschooler, Biting and Kicking Classmates
By Amanda S. Armstrong, Ph.D.
EEG Spectrum of Hawaii
Referred for uncontrollable tantrums & attacks on other children at preschool. Mother called our office in tears.
Single mother moved him 5000 miles away from his extended family, employed as a security guard. Father in prison.
IQ testing revealed "Borderline Impaired" verbal skills, Average performance skills.
In our office, he was entirely silent, with no facial expression at all. Mother had to drag him after her. On his own, he flitted about the office fingering everything without attending to any toy for more than 30 seconds.
Treatment: Twelve neurofeedback sessions, predominantly right hemisphere SMR. Was twice observed to go through some bodily contractions and shaking, as if he was abreacting (releasing negative memories). These cleared up entirely during each session.
Results: Calmer after each session. After the 3rd session he was reported to be less aggressive at school, sleeping better and talking more. He came in for his 5th session talking fluently, with lively facial expressions. His drawings had improved, and he was observed making playful noises as he drew. The school was reporting only occasional angry outbursts, and Mom was calling every day for the report. By the 6th session the school was reporting they could contain his anger, and by the 8th, he was reported to be able to tell the teachers "I'm upset", and talk to them about it. During that session he counted the 18 floors in the building opposite the office. By the 11th session he was singing as he started to train. By the 12th all signs of oppositional behavior had vanished.
"Louie", Gang member, minor male, age 15
By Barbara Linde, Ph.D.
Presenting Symptoms/Problems: On Probation and Independent Study, Angry Using Marijuana
Craving Sugars (after Pot), Large Appetite Severe Allergies and Asthma Frequent Illnesses
and Fatigue Bruxism, Nightmares since five years old Sleep Talking
History:
Grandfather killed himself in the ocean and client has a fear of the ocean
Parents divorced
Father angry, alcoholic; Mother also addicted
Mother manic-depressive and both parents have migraines
Many geographical moves and school changes
Disobedient to teachers
In therapy with several local therapists
Developmental history revealed that mother had separation of placenta while pregnant with client. Client did not crawl and was very slow in talking.
Client fell off motorcycle at 2 months, High Fever at age 5.
Narrative:
Client referred by local Gang Alternative Probation Department.
Trained for 20 sessions at predominately C4 SMR (12-14 Hz) for five to ten sessions. Then trained at C4-Pz SMR (12-14 Hz) for the remainder of the sessions.
Client noticed that his anger was changed very quickly and he could be more patient.
This therapist noticed that client wasn't as impatient as the sessions continued. During the first three or four sessions, this client would bang on the wall when it was time to leave; however, he began to sit patiently even though the sessions went on for more than the usual 30 minutes. The client also began talking to this therapist about things happening in his life; and he could "small talk".
He began completing his homework and even brought it to the office to complete while he waited for his father to pick him up. At the beginning of the training sessions, he would pace the floor until his father came in. Client noticed that he wasn't "using" marijuana as much and asked about what NF did to his cravings. Neurofeedback seemed to ease some of the severity of the allergy problems. Client's eyes weren't so dark with red circles as more Neurofeedback was completed.
Client had to write several essays for his probation and he wrote one on EEG NF. Father noticed many changes with the client. He noticed that his anger was less and that the client would finish his homework. Client will be attending summer school and completing another semester of work at home on home study. Probation officer has not responded with any specifics yet. Client has some community service projects to complete.
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