About Melissa Chefec

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Entries by Melissa Chefec

What happens if I suddenly stop taking Trintellix?

By SingleCare Team, July, 26, 2024 Trintellix belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which prevent neurons from reabsorbing serotonin once they release it into synapses (the space between two connecting neurons). “Trintellix is a serotonergic antidepressant, similar, but somewhat different from the more typical SSRIs—like Zoloft (sertraline), or Prozac (fluoxetine),” says […]

Healthy lifestyle choices may lower risk of depression, dementia, and stroke

By Jessica Freeborn, July 25, 2024 “Clinically, these are good reminders for areas where anyone can improve. All of us scanning this list will find some areas where we know we can improve,” non-study author Alex Dimitriu, MD a double board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, told MNT. “Personally, I […]

What to Know About Mouth Breathing While Sleeping

By Brooke Helton, July 19, 2024 What are the causes of mouth breathing? Many children go through phases of mouth breathing that they eventually grow out of. But some people will keep the habit even past childhood. In fact, research indicates that rates of mouth breathing increase with age, especially among men. In adults, mouth […]

The Best Non-Wearable Sleep Trackers To Gain Insight Into Your Nights

By Kelly O’Sullivan, July 18, 2024 Dr. Dimitriu was consulted for this article. “We spend about a third of our lives sleeping, yet it seems like many of us still aren’t sure if we’re getting the rest we need. If you want to learn more about your sleep health but don’t want to wear a […]

Best cooling comforters of 2024: How to stay cozy without overheating

By Suzy Hernandez, July 11, 2024 The top cooling comforters incorporate advanced cooling technologies, along with materials like cotton, eucalyptus, and bamboo, which Dr. Dimitriu identifies as the coolest and most effective for dispersing heat and enhancing ventilation.  Click HERE for the full article.

Vraylar and pregnancy: Important safety considerations

By Sarah Bradley, July 8, 2024 Alex Dimitriu, MD, psychiatrist, sleep medicine specialist, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, says many experts compare the use of Vraylar during pregnancy to that of Abilify (aripiprazole). The two drugs are closely related, he adds, but Abilify has been around longer and studied […]

Dealing With ‘Brain Zaps’? Here’s Why They Might Be Happening—and What to Do

By Beth Ann Mayer, July 6, 2024 We’ll get more into brain zap causes in a bit, but research and experts point to abruptly stopping antidepressant medications as the No. 1 trigger. “Venlafaxine, in particular, has been associated with these symptoms, but other serotonergic antidepressants, especially with short half-lives, can cause them as well,” says Dr. Alex […]

Study pinpoints 3 common antidepressants tied to the most weight gain

By Jessica Freeborn, July 5, 2024 Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, who was not involved in the current study, offered further insight into antidepressants to MNT: “The most common uses of antidepressants are for depression and anxiety, where they can significantly […]

The Best Rest

By Dr. Alex Dimitriu, July 2, 2024 In psychiatry and medicine in general, sleep should be considered a vital sign. Almost every psychiatric condition, whether anxiety or bipolar disorder, ADHD or dementia, is substantially affected by lack of quality sleep. Poor sleep undermines impulse control, making us “bingey,” settling for quick fixes over more meaningful goals; harder stuff takes perseverance and discipline—that is, impulse […]

Can you drink while taking Rexulti?

By Sarah Bradley, July 2, 2024 “Most people taking any type of psychiatric medication should try to avoid alcohol entirely, or at least greatly minimize their intake,” said Alex Dimitriu, MD, psychiatrist, sleep medicine specialist, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California.  Click HERE for the full article.

The best cooling pillows in 2024: Sweet dreams for hot sleepers

By Suzy Hernandez, June 27, 2024 According to Dr. Dimitriu, depending on the materials, cooling pillows can improve comfort. Cooling pillows work to help manage temperature and promote a cooler sleeping environment. They generally use materials to absorb and pull away heat from the body, like a gel layer or memory foam.   Click HERE for […]

Does Magnesium Help to Reduce Anxiety?

By Jessica Migala, June 17, 2024 And there’s the sleep part of the equation. “Anxiety, sleep, and mental well-being are all intertwined,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician in Menlo Park, California. As a mild anti-anxiety agent, magnesium can also promote sleep. “Better sleep, in turn, results in less anxiety the following day,” […]

Why Real-World Anxiety Keeps Following Me Into My Dreams

By Sydni Ellis, June 12, 2024 Can Anxiety Cause Bad Dreams? You’re not imagining it — the experts we spoke with overwhelmingly agreed that anxiety can contribute to bad dreams. “Anxious thoughts while someone is asleep can manifest themselves as bad dreams or stress dreams,” Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double board-certified physician in psychiatry and […]

Does Magnesium Help You Sleep?

By Jessica Migala, June 11, 2024 So where does magnesium fit into things? “Magnesium is a beneficial muscle relaxant and mild anti-anxiety agent,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician in Menlo Park, California.  Click HERE for the full article.

These drugs can be a bedroom bummer

By Alpana Mohta, MD, June 11, 2024 Board-certified psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, MD, spoke with MDLinx about the prevalence of sexual dysfunction with SSRIs: “The likelihood of SSRIs inducing sexual dysfunction is about 50% while being treated.” However, he notes, in some cases, this issue persists even after stopping the medication; this is known as post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD). […]

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