[sweetmadness]

Maybe I'm worrying too much but here it is.

Ok so, I don't have a ton of problems anymore. I was once dx'd and it has gotten better with medication. I'm treating a condition called Schizo-affective. I'm also labelled with adhd, prob still. The insurance denied coverage for adderall xr, but I'm hopeful it might cover this "Brainpaint" program.

I have no serious issues. I mean, I don't have hallucinations or delusions. I've recovered from those. I more than likely have Bipolar and not Schizo as once thought. Schizo-affective has a better prognosis than Schizophrenia alone, but it all depends on who you talk to and the whole label is fuzzy and the DSM considered having it removed.

My issue is I started therapy again, and I found a woman who also practices neurofeedback. She explained that it doesn't actually portray your EEG brainwaves, but depicts what it might look like I assume through algorithms etc.

So I'm worried it might trigger symptoms to come back or worsen. One issue with Adderall is that I once took it incorrectly to stay up late and it did cause a brief paranoia to occur. That was induced, however I could be more prone to those brief episodes. The therapist is all for it! She's excited to start on Friday, and now I'm a little doubtful and having misgivings. A part of me thinks this would be the perfect tool for me. I'm intelligent, very in control of myself and my thoughts. I'm used to having this innate independence and inner guidance, but I have issues too with impulse control sometimes. Like going out with the wrong people, or not being able to say no in situations, and smoking ciggs.

I'm an adult female and almost 25. I was hoping it might help refresh my outlook, or kickstart things a bit because I'm really depressed. I can't take anti-depressants for they often alter my mood too much or cause mania.

My therapist says it's the most effective for Bipolar according to the person she works with who is part of the team who developed the software or something like that.

So like, does anyone know of any risks? If I am more prone to psychosis than typical does that mean I should avoid it or could it strengthen my stress response and prevent it more? In my case, I would think so. But IDK how this stuff works and I know it's experimental.

The big concern i have, is that I haven't had hallucinations during the day for months to over years. I'm on a medication that works, but IDK if the therapist understands the difference between purely mood disorders and actual thought disorders or psychotic conditions which you have to constantly monitor. (At least by keeping your brain chemistry as normal as possible)

I can't see any real threat or harm, other than this: flashing lights like that could really UP or INDUCE the mania I'm already treating with an anti-psychotic. Yeah, I'd love to be able to get off the medication I still take.
Does it really work for PTSD? I read like 2 skeptical pages, and five non-scientific propaganda pieces.

Something just doesn't fit or seem right about it. It's really bugging me. I can't place it. Did some research.
I had seizure like or epileptic symptoms on a medication called Seroquel which lowers the seizure threshold, leading me to believe that minor epilepsy might be a part of my own brain illness.

And this software kind of seems to induce that. I'm highly skeptical. Probably not something you'd expect from someone with this "label".....I'm worried that the new younger therapist might not be familiar or might unintentionally be downplaying the severity of psychosis. I don't think she comprehends or acknowledges brain imbalances completely, because it runs in my family. I've found simply reading about Carl Jung and other intelligent psychologists has helped me manage the most. I've yet to discuss this with my psychiatrist, but I am going to in a few days.

Apologies for the lengthiness. I hope I get some input or ideas....

[sweetmadness]

Well I tried it. It didn't do much other than make me tired.