About Melissa Chefec

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Entries by Melissa Chefec

What is Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder?

By Laurie Saloman, Aug 25, 2022 “Symptoms can present ranging from paranoid thoughts to finding meaning and connections where there aren’t any to the more classic auditory hallucinations,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine expert and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, California. “While these varied symptoms […]

Be It Happy or Sad Songs, Music Before Bed Could Mean Better Sleep

By Lo Styx, Aug 23, 2022 Psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, MD, who specializes in sleep medicine, notes that music is a fairly powerful emotional tool. This means it can also be an effective distraction for racing thoughts while trying to fall asleep. Studies have shown that playing music at bedtime can encourage the physical and mental tranquility necessary […]

Mouth Taping: What to Know About This Dangerous TikTok Trend

By Beth Ann Mayer, Aug 19, 2022 So, though mouth taping proponents may say it helps with breathing, Dimitriu warns it will likely have the opposite effect. “It’s…important to note that laying down tends to make the nose more congested,” Dimitriu says. “Sometimes, people will breathe well nasally when upright, then worse when laying flat. This is […]

Brain Fatigue, Poor Decision Making Capacity Linked To Overthinking, Researchers Say

By Shreyashi Chakraborty, Aug 15, 2022 Noting that glutamate levels tend to plunge during nap time, Dimitriu asked people to catch more sleep to fight cognitive fatigue. “Think it starts with sleep the night before and sleep in general. Sleep is fundamental and I think getting enough of it regularly is probably the best way to […]

Brain Fatigue, Poor Decision Making Capacity Linked To Overthinking, Researchers Say

By Shreyashi Chakraborty, Aug 12 2022 To address the problem, Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a notable psychologist and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD, told Healthline that an individual needs to find the root cause at first. “See how you’re feeling on the weekend if you’re not working. It’s important to understand […]

The Long Journey to Overcoming Codependency

By Rachel Crowe, Aug 12, 2022 Tom Adams, M.D., part of the team at Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, attributes childhood emotional neglect as the prototype for future codependency. “As humans, we are born with instincts to attach strongly to our caregivers,” Adams explained. “When caregivers convey, intentionally or not, that their own needs […]

If Not Hypochondria, You May Be Living With Somatic Symptom Disorder

By Helen Massy, August 11, 2022 “Essentially, somatic [symptom] disorder suggests a high level of preoccupation with either a real or undiagnosed set of symptoms, which cause significant distress and some degree of life impairment,” said Alex Dimitriu, M.D., who is board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and founded Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California […]

Do We Sleep Better in Airbnbs or Hotels?

By Susan Johnston Taylor, Aug 11, 2022 “People might sleep better in a vacation home because it has the best of both worlds,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, California, and a SleepFoundation.org medical-review board member. “It’s a home with all the conveniences, while at the same time, […]

Why Thinking Hard Can Make You Feel Tired

By David Rossiaky, August 11, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, an expert in psychiatry and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD, told Healthline that first you need to take stock of what it is you’re actually feeling. “See how you’re feeling on the weekend if you’re not working. It’s important to […]

The best weighted blankets to shop in 2022, according to experts

By Mili Godio, Aug 10, 2022 The quicker our core body temperature drops, the quicker we can fall asleep, so overheating at night can disrupt your overall sleep quality, Khosla said. Since the pressure created by a weighted blanket can make it feel warmer than a typical blanket, Dimitriu recommended looking for one that features a […]

When Pain and Insomnia Collide: How to Manage ‘Painsomnia’

By Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, Aug 8, 2022 “Pain can certainly worsen insomnia and disrupt sleep; but lack of sleep, in turn, can increase how much pain people experience,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and a member of SleepFoundation.org’s medical review board. Click HERE for the full article.

Our Brain’s Natural Desire To Always Want More Could Cause Unhappiness

By Eileen Conroy, Aug 5, 2022 The paradox of choice and having a mindset that the grass is always greener on the other side can be helped by practicing acceptance and gratitude. Psychiatrist Dr. Alex Dimitriu told Healthline, “Settling for ‘good enough’ is essential in a situation with too many choices. In my work with […]

Depression, Diabetes, Hypertension: 1 in 2 Young People in the U.S. Have a Chronic Condition

By George Citroner, Aug 4, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park (California) Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD, also finds women’s rate of depression often exceeds that of men. According to Dimitriu, the reasons for this difference between men and women may be attributed to biological factors that […]

Aaron Rodgers credits ayahuasca for his recent MVPs: What is the psychedelic drug?

By Natalie Neysa Alund, Aug 4, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who specializes in psychiatry and sleep medicine – but does not use psychedelic treatments with patients due to its illegality – previously told USA TODAY psychedelics can encourage users to “connect loose themes” and experience “improved lucidity and memory.” But that does not mean they are for everyone or should be used […]

Our Minds May Be Programmed to Keep Wanting More, Leading to Unhappiness

By David Rossiaky, Aug 4, 2022 Experts believe that practicing mindfulness is one way to avoid getting caught up in achievement and overconsumption. There comes a point when “it’s time to change your aspirations and switch from wanting to enjoying,” said Dimitriu. “I think it is essential to have as much practice using the brake as using the gas […]

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