|
 |
|
|
Q - I had about 20 treatments but left about 8 months ago because I did not see that much of an improvement. I have trouble focusing, have poor stress tolerance and I procrastinate. One of things I noticed was I fell asleep during the noise therapy sessions in the office. I could hardly stay awake it did not matter what time of day I came and how much sleep I had the night before. It seemed to be waste of treatment. I want to know if you think it is a good idea if I come back and whether I need a full brain scan? I want you to know I am 31 years old and never been diagnosed with ADD or any other mental disorder. I came to your office last year and I completed about 20 sessions and I did not see an improvement I hope this added information helps.
A - If you contact our offices directly at 604-608-0444 and tell Alisa your name we can look at
your brain assessment and be much more precise about the appropriate course
of action. People usually see beneficial results after 3 to 4 sessions.
Twenty sessions without noticeable improvement is rare. Falling asleep
during a session is common for some forms of treatment. In some cases, where
we are using braindriving procedures, falling asleep is not a problem. For
other treatment procedures, volitional biofeedback for example, staying
alert is important. Again, if you contact Alisa we can determine the type of
treatment you received and discuss the matter with you in detail. |
Q - Dr.Swingle,
I am a 42 year old woman who was recommended to you by one of my therapists for particularly adoption trauma. I was adopted at 1 year of age and was adopted into a very unloving and non nurturing and cold environment. My parents were much older and my father in particular was extremely religious, he was fanatical in his beliefs and very fundamentalist. I was sexual abused by the age of 3 which continued until around the age of ll. My parents were not the abusers even though my mom did know about some of the abuse and chose to do nothing. About 7 years ago I developed anorexia and was treated as a inpatient at St.Pauls I still struggle with eating, but do maintain a basic healthy weight. Four years ago I was diagnosed with DID and I see a mental health worker and 2 therapists for this disorder as my case is rather complex. I have major attachment issues and cannot seem to connect to people, they don't seem to stick inside and even the people I trust the most I lose them as soon as they are gone out of my sight and cant hold them inside of me. I have been struggling and fighting with DID for so long and seem to be in a place of where I am not progressing very well and seem to be stuck. My 2 therapists whom I work together with , I see at the same time have tried OEI and can do very little with it as it is still very intense for me so just very little is used and at times find it helpful. My therapist who knew about you though maybe some work with adoption therapy might be helpful because even though the abuse was horrific, the emotional neglect and the feeling of not being wanted and not belonging ever has been the hardest to deal with. I did write to you a week ago but still have heard no response. I phoned a few days ago and the woman thought I should have heard by now, but thought there was a computer problem at that time so this is why I am writing to you again. I am interested in your opinion and exactly what it is that you do. I have not heard of this type of work before but am willing to try anything that may help my therapy and my being whole and well happen faster. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request and questions.
A - I am very sorry that we missed your first inquiry. As you heard, we had
significant computer difficulties for about 36 hours and perhaps your note
was lost during that time.
Your situation does sound complex but is not unusual in our clinic. We see
many clients with multiple trauma histories, and like yourself, many with
core abandonment issues as virtually all adopted children experience. Our
treatment of these complex situations combines neurotherapy with other
therapies. The neurotherapy focuses on the neurological predispositions to
conditions such as depression, anxiety, dissociation, and poor stress
tolerance. Once the neurological conditions are treated then we focus on
emotional release and processing utilizing a wide range of therapies
including some you have experienced including EMDR, OEI, hypnosis, CBT,
somatoemotional release and other experiential procedures. If you have a
primary therapist, we can work cooperatively with that person in that we do
the neurological treatments and your primary therapist focus on the
emotional release and processing. During the course of the neurotherapy you
will experience emotional reactions when the various areas of the brain are
under treatment. These reactions tend to be brief and generally lead to
emotional processing - a very efficient form of psychotherapy. The first
step is to have a brain assessment to determine the exact nature and
location of the neurological inefficiencies. Once identified, we can develop
a regimen for treating your condition. |
Q - I was adopted when I was one years old from the Children Aid Society, about 10 years ago I found my birth mother but have limited contact with her and find even though I am scared she will disappear again I also forget about her alot and have to really make a effort to stay in contact. For her I see and can feel she has a connection with me, but I do not have one with her. My adoptive parents were emotionally and at times physically neglectful. I was sexually abused from the age of 3-11, with my mother have full knowledge of some of the abuse. I was apprehended from my home at the age of 16 once I returned from boarding school (14-16). My parents were told the extent of my abuse and chose to have me removed and the abuser stay at home telling him they still loved him and it was OK. My parents were extreme fundamentalists and very fanatical in their religious beliefs. I have had anorexia in the past which I still struggle with but I also have a complex case of DID with many different parts, which I am in the 4th year of therapy for. It was suggested to me by one of my therapists that I might want to give you a try. I need to about costs and coverage and what this type of work or therapy is called exactly. I work 2 days a week as I am unable to work more than that and want to check into my extended health benefits to see if you are covered before I look at seeing if you will see me and make an appointment. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
A - Neurotherapy has been very helpful in treating complex cases as you
describe. It sounds as though you have a primary therapist to continue with
dealing with the emotional/psychological/behavioural components and you
would see us for the neurological treatment components. We work closely with
the primary care therapist to coordinate treatment. If you no longer have a
primary therapist we can offer the other treatment components as well if you
wish. Contact our administrative staff at 604-608-0444 for information on
costs and other details if you wish to explore the possibility of treatment
with us. Our web-site contains some helpful information on the treatment of
the various conditions you describe. |
Q - I live in Edmonton. I need treatment for depression/sleep disorder. Could you recommend any clinic?
A - Try Dr. Horst Mueller at 780-423-6633. |
Q - A while ago I had asked Dr. Swingle about companies that sell these brain machines and give training courses. He gave me a name of a company in California... or was it Seattle... that did this, but I have since lost those names.
Can you provide them to me again please? Thank you very much!
A - I think you are referring to either Stens-biofeedback.com or Thoughttechnology.com |
Q - I have an 11 year old daughter who has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. We live in the Vancouver area, is there a clinic near here?
A - Our clinic is at 1190 Melville Street in downtown Vancouver. You can call
Alisa at 604-608-0444 for information about our clinic and to schedule an
initial appointment. |
Q - I feel that my brain has been fuzzy lately. Sort of like being high without the drugs. Almost like experiencing things in the third person.
A - Make an appointment with your physician. Such symptoms can be associated
with a number of physical conditions that your physician should assess. |
Q - Have you dealt with cases of chronic paroxysmal (sp?) hemicrania? If so , have you found your treatment to be successful? I have had these daily headaches since 2002, with a 2 yr remission from the pain from 2006-08. They started again this spring. Thank you.
A - Yes, we have dealt with this disorder when it has not responded effectively
to anti-inflammatory medications. |
Q - I have been diagnosed with lymphocytic vasculitis on the brain. This was prior to having a numb left hand for approx 1 month and then having a seizure, on June 16. I am presently taking Prednisone (50 mg per day) and Dilantin (300 mg per day) Please advise your thoughts of the treatment.
A - We often see clients with such conditions for symptomatic treatment. For
example, neurotherapy can often be helpful for improving cognitive
functioning, mood states and can often help with motor improvements as well. |
Q - I am considering going to Tacoma,Washington, to have a SPECT image and assessment done at the AMEN Clinic. What is your opinion of this imaging method vs the EEG system used at your clinic?
I am a 52 year old woman and am desperate for help with depression and memory loss.
A - Many people have found Dr. Amen's procedures helpful. As you may know, his
clinics rely more heavily on medications whereas neurotherapy focuses on
changing brain activity to correct the symptoms by correcting the brain
anomalies associated with the condition. We prefer the neurotherapeutic
methods because by correcting brain inefficiencies the problem is improved
naturally without using medications that may in turn be problematic because
of sedating, masking the symptoms or because of troublesome side effects.
Dr. Amen's clinics have been moving toward more reliance on self-regulation
procedures such as relaxation exercises and somewhat less on medications.
|
|
|
|
