CAROL SORGEN, Published Online:31 Jul 2018

Allergic diseases can lead to a higher risk of psychiatric disorders such as hyperactivity and depression.

Individuals with allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis are at higher risk for developing psychiatric disorders, according to a study published last spring in Frontiers in Psychiatry. The study was led by Nian-Sheng Tzeng, M.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry at Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

Click HERE for the full article on Psychiatric News.

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Menlo Park, CA, July 26, 2018 – Sleep-deprived? It’s common sense that being fatigued generally leaves us in a foul mood. But how can we tell when we’re sleep-deprived and merely tired – or if we’re actually depressed? Psychiatrist and sleep specialist Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, frequently speaks to curious patients about this issue. Since exhaustion, irritability, lack of motivation, anxiety and tearfulness are all symptoms of sleep deprivation – and also symptoms of depression – there’s a great deal of confusion on the matter, he says.

Click HERE for the full article on HealthNewsDigest.

If you find yourself on the receiving end of the “So…when are you having kids?” question—or you’re guilty of asking—read this immediately.

BY WENDY ROSE GOULD July 18, 2018

You’re sitting at dinner, just about to bite into that delicious macaroni salad, when your in-law casually throws out the old, “So…when are you two going to have kids?” It’s a question that’s been asked what seems like a million different times by pretty much everyone you know and in a multitude of very creative ways.

Maybe it’s something like, “It sure would be nice to have a grandchild…,” paired with a longing glance at a cute pair of baby-sized shoes. Or perhaps it’s a, “Wasn’t he cute as a baby?” wink-wink-nudge-nudge while flipping through old pictures in what you thought was an innocent and hilarious journey down memory lane. It could even be from an acquaintance you hardly know who cavalierly asks, “When do you think you’ll start popping ‘em out?”

Click HERE for the full article on HealthWay.

Your diet, the temperature and a busy social calendar may be to blame for that afternoon slump.

by Kelsey Butler / Jul.18.2018

Sleep is pretty much my favorite pastime. Over the years, even as other hobbies have come and gone — crocheting, piano playing and terrarium-making among them — snoozing has always been my preferred way to spend downtime.

And despite insomnia running in my family, I’ve always been blessed enough to be able to sleep when I want to, including during bad movies (sorry “Batman v Superman”), airport layovers and morning train rides to work. I’ve always been lucky when it comes to sleep … until recently. As I’ve gotten older, and particularly during the warmer months of the year, I find it harder and harder to get to sleep and get the rest I need. What gives?

“Longer days certainly make it hard to get to bed on time,” says psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Alex Dimitriu. “With a sunset time of 8 [p.m.], it’s easy to be outside later (enjoying the cooler evening), then come home and start the ‘regular’ evening routine. But now everything may be happening two to three hours later than in the winter months, so it’s easy to get to bed too late.”

Click HERE for the full article on NBC Better.

Difficulty breathing, sweating, trembling, heart pounding, fear… sounds like you might be having a panic attack.

Panic disorder has a genetic component, but panic attacks can occur for anyone. Stress precipitates panic attacks. Someone who is already stressed is prone to panic attacks. Many people suffer quietly.

Panic attacks are short-lived and intense, lasting no more than a couple of hours. Rule out any medical causes right away. Blood work and heart observations will help rule out medical conditions that could be disguised by a panic attack.

You will not die from a panic attack. Behavioral and pharmacological treatments are available for those who experience frequent panic attacks.

Listen HERE as Dr. Alex Dimitriu joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to handle panic attacks.

By CARINA WOLFF, 7/16/18

If you’re someone who has suffered from insomnia, you’ve likely tried everything under the sun to help yourself fall asleep at night. Counting sheep may not help, but there are a number of other different cures for insomnia that sleep specialists swear by that might be worth a shot. Sometimes, the answers to your sleep problems just involve some out-of-the-box solutions, and who better to advise you on these odd habits then the sleep experts themselves?

Click HERE for the full article on Bustle.

Menlo Park, CA, July 12, 2018 – We all feel down, or blue, or sad, at times. Sadness is a natural human emotion, usually triggered by a loss, disappointment, or major life change. According to psychiatrist Dr. Alex Dimitriu, this sadness is generally short-lived and dissipates over time as we adjust to a new situation. “We often casually refer to this situational sadness as depression,” he says, “but it is important to distinguish it from clinical depression, a much more severe and long-lasting condition that has serious implications for long-term mental and physical health and must be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.”

Click HERE for the full article on HealthNewsDigest.