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Entries by Melissa Chefec

Taking longer to get to REM sleep could indicate Alzheimer’s disease

By Jessica Freeborn, Jan 29, 2025 This study highlights how REM sleep is likely also important when it comes to dementia research and not just slow-wave sleep. Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, who was also not involved in the study, […]

How to Deal With Restless Legs Syndrome

By Leandra Beabout, Jan 27, 2025 “RLS is a surprisingly common cause of insomnia in my patients, many of whom did not even realize such a condition exists,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double-board certified sleep medicine physician and psychiatrist, and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. The exact causes of RLS are unknown, […]

Neurologists unpack new Alzheimer’s surgery potential: ‘This would be a true revolution in AD therapy’

By Alpana Mohta, MD, Jan 23, 2025 Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, tells MDLinx the procedure is a “mechanical solution” in combating AD. “Precision techniques like robotic-guided surgery could redefine the safety and outcomes of surgical treatments for Alzheimer’s.” Click HERE for […]

Can you take trazodone and lorazepam together?

By Leandra Beabout, Jan 20, 2025 Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double-board-certified psychiatrist, sleep medicine physician, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, says that while there are no known interactions between lorazepam and trazodone, he considers it ideal to take one or the other—not both. He also says trazodone is usually preferred because […]

Sleep could help erase bad memories, study finds: ‘Therapy for our emotions’

By Melissa Rudy, Jan 14, 2025 Alex Dimitriu, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine doctor and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, was also not involved in the study, but said it is “fascinating” in what it reveals about how the brain processes memories during sleep. “Our brains are unpacking, processing and […]

A Guide to Shift Work Sleep Disorder

By Maggie Aime, Jan 10, 2025 “Shift work sleep disorder is fundamentally caused by missing sleep at night,” Alex Dimitriu, M.D., double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, tells Sleepopolis. The more your schedule differs from normal nighttime sleep, the harder it gets, especially if your shifts keep changing, he explains. (4) For example, working an […]

Is diazepam a controlled substance?

By SingleCare Team, Jan 6, 2025 On top of that, “diazepam is unique in that it is among the benzodiazepines with the longest half-life,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “This is how long it stays in your system—for diazepam, it takes 30–56 hours to eliminate half the drug […]

Common Misconceptions About Bipolar Medication

By Elizabeth Millard, Dec 30, 2024 Potential weight gain is a common concern for people taking bipolar medication, says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., psychiatrist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in California. It’s not entirely unfounded: Some medications can cause changes in appetite and metabolism which can affect the numbers on the scale. However, […]

Can you take Vyvanse and Adderall together?

By Leandra Beabout, Dec 31, 2024 “In some cases, I will prescribe Vyvanse in the morning with a small lower dose of Adderall around noontime for people who need the benefit of the medication to last longer into the day,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician and the founder of  […]

How to Talk With Your Partner About Bipolar Disorder

By Elizabeth Millard, Dec 30, 2024 Introducing this topic during the “want to keep dating?” phase is often logical timing, according to Alex Dimitriu, M.D. a psychiatrist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in California. “Try starting with an emphasis on what’s good in the relationship and your desire to continue being together,” he […]

What Happens in Your Brain When You’re Angry, According to Psychology

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd , Dec 30, 2024 “Anger is a very old and fundamental emotion,” says psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, MD. “During such episodes, the emotional system becomes more active, while the prefrontal cortex (the thinking brain) gets suppressed. This can lead to irrational or regrettable behavior, intense outbursts, or violence at its worst.” Click HERE for the full article.

8 Parenting Trends We Hope to Say ‘Goodbye’ to in 2025

By Beth Ann Mayer, Dec 30, 2024 “Infant sleep can be quite challenging, especially in the first year,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double board-certified psychiatrist, sleep medicine specialist, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “I’ve often compared this to a residency program in medicine due to being on call all night.”  Dr. Dimitru suggests […]

This doctor-approved ‘pre-dreaming’ technique can help you fall asleep faster

By Carly Stern, Dec 24, 2024 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a double board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine doctor at Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, explained that visualization is a lot like “pre-dreaming.” “Everyone knows that beautiful feeling as you start to lightly dream as you doze off into sleep,” he told The Post. […]

Talk About a Let-Down: Why Migraine Sometimes Happens After Reducing Stress

By Beth Ann Mayer, Dec 23, 2024 Reducing these stress levels is essential and may help lower the odds of experiencing a migraine. Yet, sometimes, you might wind up with one anyway. “Interestingly, in let-down headaches, it may be changes in cortisol and other stress hormones that can trigger the headache,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a psychiatrist […]

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