Depression, Parkinson's, and eating disorders are some of the health and mental health conditions that can be treated with brain stimulation therapies.If you want to explore brain stimulation therapy for your eating disorder, you need to know more about it.You may have already decided to use brain stimulation and want to do everything you can to support your treatment.If you learn more about brain stimulation in general, consult with a professional, and stick to your treatment plan, you can explorebrain stimulation to treat an eating disorder.
Step 1: Get to know what it is.
Brain stimulation can be used to control certain behaviors.It may include implanting electrodes in the brain through surgery, attaching them to the scalp, or using magnetic fields.You will be able to decide if brain stimulation is right for you if you know more about it.Deep brain stimulation (DBS), convulsive therapy (ECT), magnetic seizure therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are some of the most common forms ofbrain stimulation.Refer to sources like the National Institute of Mental Health website at http://www.nimh.gov/health/topics/brain
Step 2: Some therapies are used for an eating disorder.
If you have a good idea of what brain stimulation therapy is, you should know which treatments are used the most.One of the most frequently used brain stimulation therapies is for severe or chronic Anoreas.Treatments like VNS aren't used as much.Information about brain stimulation treatments for anorexia can be found in pamphlets or other handouts.Talk to people who have used brain stimulation.Ask which therapy they used and what their experience was with it.You could ask if it was an effective treatment for you.
Step 3: How does it work?
Specific parts of your brain are activated in a number of ways.The parts of the brain that are activated suppress certain behaviors.Each brain stimulation therapy has its own way of stimulating the brain.Knowing how brain stimulation therapy works will help you make a decision on which treatment will work for you.Understanding how it works will help you prepare for the treatment you will be receiving.Information about how each of the brain stimulation treatments work is provided by the NIMH.Deep brain stimulation requires surgery.Repeated sessions are one of the treatments that don't require surgery.
Step 4: There are risks and side effects of research.
You should have a clear idea of the risks and side effects of any treatment.This is true when treating an eating disorder.Learning more about side effects and risks will help you decide if it's a viable treatment option for you and help prepare you for the treatment.You can find information about the risks and side effects of brain stimulation therapies at the NIMH.If it is something you can handle, consider each side effect.One side effect of ECT is memory loss.Some brain stimulation treatments have more risks than others.Because of the need for surgery, DBS has more risks than rtms.
Step 5: Ask which treatment is right for you.
Each type of brain stimulation treatment has specific requirements you must meet to be eligible, as well as specific criteria for who is not a good candidate for the treatment.Before you can use brain stimulation to treat an eating disorder, you need to talk with your doctor or mental health professional about which treatments are right for you.If you have other health conditions, you may not be eligible for DBS.Discuss the requirements, risks, side effects, and potential outcomes with your provider.You could say, "Which option will have the most benefit for me with the least negative effects?"You should speak to a doctor and a neurosurgeon who have done the procedure before.
Step 6: You can learn about the procedure.
You should research the treatment when you are treating an eating disorder.You should know what will happen during the treatment.Knowing about the specific procedure used in the brain stimulation therapy will help you make a decision.It will prepare you for the treatment.Ask your healthcare provider how you can prepare for the treatment.Ask your mental health professional or physician what you will need to do to get ready for the treatment.Ask what you should do after the treatment if you try something like, "Can you tell me step by step what will happen?"Are there instructions for what I should do after the treatment?What about the long-term aftercare?
Step 7: A treatment plan can be created.
Brain stimulation isn't used in isolation.They can be used as part of a larger treatment plan.If you are using brain stimulation therapy to treat an eating disorder, you should work with your medical or mental health provider to create a treatment plan.Discuss how other treatment components will support your brain stimulation treatment.You can ask your doctor how therapy will be included in your treatment plan.Check-ins may be included to evaluate whether your treatment plan is working.
Step 8: Keep appointments related to treatment.
It is important that you stick to your treatment plan when using brain stimulation.You should attend all of your therapy sessions and check-ups to make sure that you are doing well.Even if you think your brain stimulation treatment has worked, you should still go to your appointments.If you can't keep an appointment because of an emergency, you should change it.
Step 9: A treatment journal is needed.
Writing about your treatment experiences can help you stick with the treatment plan.Journaling can help you document your experience.No matter how small your success in treating an eating disorder is, write about it.Write about any fears or concerns you have about the treatment.You can give them to your provider.You can use your journal to explore your feelings about brain stimulation treatment.
Step 10: Side effects can be managed.
There are some side effects of medical treatment.Brain stimulation therapies are not exceptions.If you are aware of your body and emotions, document any side effects you have, and talk to your doctor about alleviating them, you can handle them.You should be aware of changes in your body.It's a good idea to pay attention to any nausea, fatigue, confusion, or other side effects after your treatment.Write about any side effects you notice in your treatment journal.Let your healthcare professional know that you are experiencing side effects and that they would like to help manage them, for example, by writing, "I felt a little dizzy after the treatment today."You could say, "I would like to discuss how I can manage the side effects of my treatment."
Step 11: Don't depend on your support system.
It is possible for your family and friends to encourage you to stick to your treatment plan when you are using brain stimulation to treat an eating disorder.As you complete your treatment, they can help you with any day-to-day tasks that you can't get to.Let the people who are close to you know what you need.Ask your father to watch your dog for a few days if you are feeling down or nervous.You don't have to do anything other than be present.Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
Step 12: Continue to treat your eating disorder.
Brain stimulation treatments can help you manage your eating disorder, but there is no magic cure that will make it go away completely.It has to be actively worked on to keep it under control.Before you start brain stimulation therapy, keep doing the things you were doing to manage your eating disorder.Continue to eat healthy.If you feel the brain stimulation treatments are helping, don't start skipping breakfast.You should work with your healthcare professional to address other issues in your life that may be contributing to your eating disorder.