NEUROFEEDBACK TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS

Considering that personality disorders seem to be a psychopathology with a possible etiology based on brain dysfunction as well as a maladaptation to the external environments, it is possible for Neurofeedback to be an effective psychophysiological treatment. There appears to be a correlation of dysregulated electrical brain activity detected with (Quantitative Electroencephalography) QEEG among personality disorders with excess beta activity on the left parieto-temporal regions and bilateral occipital regions, and decrease in alpha on the left centro-temporal and parieto-central regions, and increase in beta activity within the fronto-tempro-limbic regions detected from LORETA imaging (Calzada-Reyes, Alvarez-Amador, Galán-García, & Valdés-Sosa, 2013a).

Neurofeedback Therapy for Personality Disorders

LORETA imaging from the above-mentioned study revealed significant increase in beta (17.18 Hz) at Brodmann’s areas: 11,12, 8, 4, 43, 6, 13, 11, 23, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 31, 7, 44, 7, 22, 21, 41, and 42 when compared with non-personality disordered people (p < 0.05). The results of the study imply there is a possibility of targeting specific cortical brain regions to address issues with personality disorders.

Other studies suggest individuals with personality disorders have impaired regulation neural circuits that modulate emotion (Surmeli & Ertem, 2009) and a case study series was conducted on thirteen 19 to 48 year olds diagnosed with antisocial disorder and not successfully responsive to medication. The subjects were given 80 – 120 neurofeedback training sessions with QEEG/Nx Link, and the protocol alpha reduction (8-12Hz) at Fp1-Fp2, Fp1-F3, F7-F8, Fpz-Fz, Fz-T4, with theta inhibit (4-8Hz), and alpha or beta or theta coherence reduced at O1-O2, P3-P4, T3-T4, T5-T6, Fp1-Fp2, F3-F4, SMR rewarded at C3-C4, delta reduced (0-4Hz) at Cz-C4. The results were encouraging and showed positive effects as measured by MMPI and TOVA psychometric tests scores before and after treatment.

Conclusion

There appears to be some early evidence indicating neuromodulation may help individuals with personality disorders. This does not suggest neuromodulation is the only possible intervention of helping these individuals – personality disorder is a very difficult disorder and requires a highly experienced clinician with knowledge and skills helping these individuals. Along with other interventions, Neurofeedback, QEEG, EEG, and LORETA imaging may have a promising application in this difficult to treat area of mental health.