No one was more surprised than me to find myself in my 50s and suffering with debilitating depression and anxiety. I had had success in my career and transitioned to new work that I was passionate about. I had many friends, both new and those of many years. Then came a series of life events that I responded to with a hopeless and helpless sensation. It was as if I had no resiliency and could not see how to recover.
I became withdrawn, irritable and very anxious around people. I could not work, slept only a few hours a night, was very restless, could not focus, and found no joy in anything. Negative thoughts and a constant replay of hurtful memories were ongoing.
Friends and family did not understand the changes and were very judgmental that someone in my time of life was acting this way. Some told me to just get a job and get over it, others encouraged anti-depressants. A few said volunteering would change my mood. Many were rejecting. Most were hurt, angry, or both with how I had changed. Relationships were strained and some ended.
With a background in healthcare I was doing everything I knew to do. Homeopathy, diet, supplements, medical doctors, listening to inspirational recordings, prayer, affirmations, colonics, meditation, volunteer work, healing and self-improvement workshops. While these are all important and effective tools, somehow I wasn’t benefiting from them. They didn’t penetrate, and my living situation and finances were degenerating.
I had heard about Neurofeedback as an alternative to anti-depressants, tried a few sessions, and was then referred to OEP. Adrian is an exceptional human being as well as an insightful and highly skilled professional. He solicits and listens to the subjective experience of his clients, and is able to inform the objective data of the EEG with his client’s information. He monitors each session as it is happening and makes real-time adjustments so the protocols are immediately individualized. His compassion is sincere and his professional knowledge and experience inspires confidence in the process. I always feel that we are working together, rather than that he is doing something to me.
For the past 7 months I have been doing Neurofeedback at OEP twice a week. The training is nearing completion. I am ready to return to work and excited about the future. The underarousal is gone. Instead of seeing the last year as a sign of failure, I see it as a footnote to a continuing happy and productive life. Overarousal is more of a periodic tension and it continues to lesson. My sleep is improved. I’m able to focus again. I’m more relaxed and relationships are much easier. When a negative memory does arise, I take it as a reminder to be involved in what’s happening now and the negative feeling evaporates. Interestingly, I am again benefiting from other healing support, in particular homeopathy, herbs, EFT and meditation. Happily, humor is making occasional appearances and I expect it to visit more and more often.
Thank you, Adrian, for your humanness, professionalism, and skilled application of this wonderful healing modality. May your and Tanya’s path be abundant and continue to help people find healing and joy in living.
S.R.
Leesburg, FL
September 2010
