TMS Therapy for Eating Disorders

Types of Eating Disorders

Common types of eating disorders include:

• Anorexia Nervosa (AN): Characterized by extreme food restriction, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
• Bulimia Nervosa (BN): Involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, to prevent weight gain.
• Binge-Eating Disorder (BED): This is marked by episodes of overeating without compensatory behaviors, often accompanied by feelings of guilt or distress.

Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Each type of eating disorder has unique symptoms and challenges, requiring individualized treatment plans.

Recognizing the signs of disordered eating is the first step toward seeking treatment. Common symptoms may include:

• Preoccupation with food, calories, and dieting
• Extreme changes in weight, either gain or loss
• Distorted body image or self-esteem tied to body weight or shape
• Avoidance of social situations involving food
• Evidence of binge eating, purging, or restrictive eating behaviors

If you or a loved one is experiencing these

How is an Eating Disorder Diagnosed?

At Neurotherapeutix, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing eating disorders:

1. Clinical Evaluation: Our board-certified psychiatrists assess your medical history, eating behaviors, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
2. fMRI Brain Mapping: Using advanced functional imaging technology, we identify neural network dysfunctions linked to eating disorder behaviors, such as abnormal food-processing, satiety, food rewards and executive function.

This in-depth analysis allows us to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Standard Treatment Options for Disordered Eating

Recovery from eating disorders typically involves a combination of therapeutic approaches to address both behavioral and biological factors. Common treatments include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to eating and body image.
• Nutritional Counseling: Provides guidance on establishing healthy eating habits and improving nutritional intake.
• Medications: Prescriptions may be used to manage co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
• Support Groups: Peer support offers encouragement and accountability throughout recovery.

For individuals with treatment-resistant eating disorders, innovative options like fMRI-guided TMS therapy provide new possibilities by addressing the underlying brain dysfunction contributing to the disorder.

Functional Imaging-Guided TMS for Eating Disorder Treatment

At Neurotherapeutix, we’ve pioneered fMRI-guided TMS therapy to target the biological roots of eating disorders. This approach focuses on correcting dysfunctional neural networks that drive disordered eating behaviors.

• Pinpointing Neural Dysfunctions: fMRI imaging allows us to identify specific brain regions linked to sensory food processing (smell, taste, texture, visceral sensations), food reward evaluation, internal estates, anticipation of food rewards, executive function, and body perception.
• Personalized Treatment Plans: Each plan is tailored to the patient’s unique neural activity and addresses their specific challenges.
• Restoring Brain Functionality: TMS sessions improve connectivity in key brain areas, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), to regulate food intake and reduce symptoms.

This innovative treatment is non-invasive, painless, and backed by evidence showing symptom reduction in disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Benefits of fMRI-Guided TMS Therapy for Those with an Eating Disorder

Compared to traditional therapies, fMRI-guided TMS therapy offers several unique advantages:

• Non-Invasive: No medications, surgeries, or side effects.
• Personalized Care: Treatment is customized based on the individual’s brain activity and disorder type.
• Proven Effectiveness: Studies show symptom reduction and improved behaviors in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
• Measurable Progress: Follow-up imaging tracks improvements and allows for adjustments to treatment.

Non-Invasive Long-Term Eating Disorder Treatment in New York

At Neurotherapeutix, we are committed to helping patients overcome eating disorders with advanced, science-based care.

Whether you’re struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder, our team provides the expertise and compassion you need for long-term recovery.

Take the first step toward healing today. Request an appointment or contact us to learn more about our innovative treatments for eating disorders.