for an unknown reason I had a severe panic attack
 

I had also posted this as a response to another thread. I hope this is kosher.

I had done 30 sessions of neurofeeback in my life to settle my rather extreme emotions and anxiety. It went perfectly. I called it magic, with my therapist replying in his usual rational tone, "it's not magic, John."

Then, I moved to Colorado, and I had a different neurofeedback provider. At the time it had been about four months since I last did neurofeedback, and we did alpha-stim for about 30 minutes, and neurofeedback for about around 25. Unfortunately, I came home experiencing one of the worst feelings of my entire life. I got home and right away went looking for my Xanex. But before the medicine had time to kick in, I had a pretty bad panic attack. But it wasn't pretty. I wanted to die. I was constantly moving, knee bopping, twiching, etc. The psychological pain was tremendous and it's causes at the time were unexplainable. It was confusing because I almost always came home from neurofeedback feeling very relaxed and peaceful.

I am thinking the cause was overstimulation of my brain. A very uncomfortable feeling really kicked in towards the end of the alpha-stim training, so it couldn't have been completely neurofeedback, and escalated during the neurofeedback. As of now, the Xanex is helping but still I feel very uncomfortable, "overstimulated," and panicked. Paradoxically however I noticed that the usual effects of neurofeedback retained, such as a lowered fear response I usually felt after "T3-T4."

Both me and my therapist have absolutely no idea why this happened. Do any of you? If so, this would be appreciated. And if it really is overstimulation as I guess, how long does it last???

But anyways, I have the same story, or at least a very similar story to all the people here who posted their adverse reactions to the application of modern therapeutic technologies. It sucks, I know.

johnm,

I have at least two questions for you.

What kind of 'neurofeedback' therapy did you undergo? Was it just the Alpha-Stim?

Alpha-Stim is not true neurofeedback therapy but instead is a neurotherapy because it does not measure neurometrics (EEG etc) and present them to you for your volitional efforts to modify the waveforms.

Do you have a concussion or mTBI history?

Are you one regular meds? The Xanax is a benzo. Benzos can be tough on an injured brain.

Did you take your blood pressure during this episode? I have a history of panic attacks and use propanolol to get my blood pressure back under control quite successfully. With the BP properly regulated, the rest of the panic attack is resolved. A malfunction in the adrenal system can cause panic attacks.

What kind of professional is your Colorado neurotherapist? an MD or Psy.D. or MCSW or what?

Are you one a nutritional regimen to help with your anxiety and such?