November 2019 “The science behind weighted blankets points to a ‘cocooning’ benefit which may elevate feelings for comfort and relaxation, possibly through an increase in oxytocin, a powerful bonding hormone,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a physician who is board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. […]
By Leah Campbell, 11/5/19 “In most cases, 4 to 6 weeks on a therapeutic dose of an antidepressant is enough time to assess if the medication is working,” said Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who is double board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He made a point of explaining that’s only for therapeutic doses, though. “Indeed, most doctors […]
10/22/19. Dr. Dimitriu was published in Psychology on the topic of bipolar vs borderline personality disorder. Diagnosing psychiatric illness isn’t easy. There’s usually no lab test, physical indication, or quantitative measurement that can distinguish one illness from another and often no magic bullet that can ensure effective treatment. Clinicians are dependent on a description of […]
By Marilynn Larkin, New York (Reuters Health) October 4, 2019 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist in Menlo Park, California, commented by email, “For phase 1, CBT was done over the phone, while in phase 2, CBT was done in person, in the lab; it would be interesting to see what is […]
9/24/19. Dr. Dimitriu was published in Psychology on the topic of Sleep and Memory: How They Work Together. For many people, just getting through the day is a monumental struggle. Those suffering from anxiety, depression, and ADHD must fight to control their impulses simply to function and stay on task through a day of work […]
By Elaine K. Howley, Contributor, Sept. 11, 2019 The simple logistics of growing another human inside your belly leads to a lot of structural changes in the body, which may mean your normal sleeping positions are no longer comfortable. For example, if you prefer to sleep on your stomach, as your pregnancy progresses, you may not […]
Dr. Dimitriu was published in Psychology Today on the topic of Sleep and Memory: How They Work Together. Medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas once wrote that “sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep.” Now, scientists are learning he was not far from the truth. A study published in July 2019 in the journal Current Biology indicates a […]
By Morgan Mandriota, August 19, 2019 What triggers sexsomnia? Basically anything that disrupts a normal, healthy sleep pattern—such as drinking alcohol or consuming caffeine too close to bedtime. Maintaining an irregular sleep schedule or not getting enough sleep can led to sexsomnia as well, Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine […]
By Elizabeth Yuko, August 15, 2019 In fact, it’s that “realness” of dreams that causes us to continue to experience feelings from the dream—whether that’s joy, sadness, fear or anxiety—upon waking. “There is some theory that we process emotions and feelings in dreams, and in some cases if the emotions are too strong, we wake […]
By Erin Magner, AUGUST 12, 2019 But why do people sleepwalk, anyway? Sleep medicine specialist Alex Dimitriu, MD, says it falls under the category of “parasomnia”—essentially, a glitch in a person’s sleep cycle. “These states occur when something disturbs our normal sleep depth,” says Dr. Dimitriu. “When this happens, the person awakens partially, in between sleep and wake.” […]
by Emma Stessman, August 2019 The problem is, weighted blankets are often made with plastic pellets or glass beads, and all that extra weight can make things hot. “The body’s ability to cool off naturally at night allows us to enter deeper, more refreshing sleep,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a psychiatrist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry […]
Elaine K. Howley, July 29, 2019 Although nonmedical interventions have long been at the top of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommendations, at least one expert hopes the warnings will encourage practitioners to consider alternatives to the commonly prescribed sedative-hypnotic drugs. “Oftentimes, the hypnotic ‘Z’ drugs, such as zolpidem, are a Band-Aid or cosmetic fix […]
July 23, 2019, by Risa Kerslake “Sleep is the tip of the iceberg for our mind’s state,” Dimitriu explains. “People find it much easier to notice sleep is off because it is objective, thus it truly opens the door to investigating if something else is wrong.” Click HERE for the full article.
Christine Coppa, July 19, 2019 Also important to stress: “If someone is in the midst of a bipolar manic or depressed episode, most non-medical interventions, including exercise, will not be enough to help, and should never be relied upon as treatment,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double board-certified psychiatrist and sleep-medicine specialist in Menlo Park, CA. […]
By Tracey Anne Duncan, 7/18/19 “REM sleep is considered a time when the brain can process emotional memories, and ‘pack them away,” says Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep specialist at Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in the San Francisco Bay Area. “When everything is working well, we experience unpleasant — and pleasant — […]
