Entries by Melissa Chefec

Why You Might Want to Use CBD for Sleep — and How to Do Just That

By Dominique Michelle Astorino Jan 24, 2022 “Sleep quantity is as important as sleep quality,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., double board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. And while many substances (looking at you, wine) might help you feel sleepy, they can actually reduce your deep and REM sleep — two […]

What’s the best antidepressant for me?

By Sarah Bradley,  Jan. 20, 2022 While any SSRI or SNRI can cause discontinuation syndrome, the SNRI Effexor (venlafaxine) can be one of the trickiest to wean off, says psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “Venlafaxine is an excellent medication, but missed doses can give people ‘brain zaps’ and […]

The 8 Best Sound Machines for Sleep of 2022

By Abby Stassen, Simone Scully, and Danielle Zoellner, Jan 20, 2022 “In choosing a sound machine, it’s nice to have options and controls. Lower volume, good sound quality, and a range of sounds that are pleasing—and boring—are helpful.” — Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine Click HERE for the full article.

Can Melatonin Help My Anxiety?

Lauren Vinopal, Jan 15, 2022 On the latter count, doctors such as Alex Dimitriu, who specializes in psychiatry and sleep medicine, tend to recommend melatonin supplements even before something like Benadryl because the antihistamine “can disrupt sleep architecture by decreasing REM sleep,” he explains. By contrast, melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain that naturally increases about two hours […]

ADHD: All About Power, Paradox, and Yes Pain, Too

January 13, 2022 Dr. Dimitriu was published in Psychology Today in an article titled: ADHD: All About Power, Paradox, and Yes Pain, Too Despite all its complexities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neuropsychological condition characterized by disorganization, procrastination, time impairment, impulsive decision-making, “wandering attention,” and problems with self-management, might be best described in three […]

What Does It Mean When You Talk in Your Sleep?

By Haley Goldberg and Sara Lindberg, December 29, 2021 At one time, it was considered a disorder, but sleep talking is now seen as more of a sleep quirk, which sometimes can be associated with sleep disturbances, psychiatrist and sleep specialist Alex Dimitriu, M.D., founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, tells SELF. In fact, Dr. Dimitriu says talking […]

Tips for Handling the Most Toxic People in Your Life (Who You Can’t Just Cut Out)

by Elizabeth Yuko, DEC 20, 2021 And Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist, tells SheKnows that what makes a person toxic is when they intrude on the lives of those around them, noting that “while it may be OK to be a reclusive curmudgeon or an isolated, anxious person, toxicity emerges when these people’s moods try to spread to those […]

10 Most Damaging Things Parents Say To Children Of Divorce

By Jeremy Brown, 12/19/2021 Avoid white lies or evasive answers to questions. Offer your kids the truth in an honest and age-appropriate manner. “Kids need to know they live in a predictable universe that they can understand and predict to some degree,” says psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Alex Dimitriu. “A parent moving out of the home, […]

Can Trauma Cause Schizophrenia?

by Morgan Mandriota on December 14, 2021 “Schizophrenia, like most things in psychiatry, adheres to a stress-diathesis model,” explains Dr. Alex Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California. “What this means is that some people have a predisposition for psychosis, which can be triggered by a life stressor. “At minimum, schizophrenia is related to an […]

Exercise, Good Food, Meditation: Alternatives to ADHD Meds

December 14, 2021 Dr. Dimitriu was published in Psychology Today in an article titled: Exercise, Good Food, Meditation: Alternatives to ADHD Meds Struggling with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Call the doctor; get more meds. Right? Not necessarily. In fact, recent research results are expanding the arsenal of behavior and lifestyle strategies that […]

Can Anxiety Cause You to Have Bad Dreams? We Asked Experts

by Sydni Ellis, December 13, 2021 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 sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park […]

Which Sleep Secrets Actually Work? A Doctor Weighs In

By Jess Sims, NOV 24, 2021 Our body uses a process called thermoregulation (the ability to internally regulate temperature for comfort and survival) to help us get the best sleep possible. “The more we can cool off in our sleep, the deeper and more restorative sleep we get,” says Dr. Dimitriu. Click HERE for the […]

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