In the News

By Sarah Stiefvater, May 24, 2023 Generally, a normal sleep latency [The amount of time required to fall asleep] is somewhere between five to 20 minutes. Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, also told us at that time that he usually tells his patients to spend 20 minutes trying to fall asleep. “Clock watching is bad, as is […]

By Beth Ann Mayer, May 10, 2023 Existential crises can be challenging to grapple with, but help is available. “Self-awareness, self-care and therapy can all be helpful,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “Remember you are a biological organism, and take care of your human […]

By Gabrielle Kassel, May 5, 2023 People living with schizophrenia are not more likely to experience any “unusual” sexual behaviors, such as hypersexuality, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, California. Though, as with anyone, if you experience new onset hypersexuality, it could be worth talking with a healthcare professional. It may […]

By Hedy Phillips Apr 28, 2023 However, melatonin can become so much a part of someone’s daily routine that they may feel like they can’t sleep without it. “Many people who take melatonin for insomnia may also have some degree of anxiety, especially around sleep — and this is where routines become locked in, and people can become […]

By Dominique Michelle Astorino  Apr 19, 2023 So are these dreams just random? Probably not. “Because there is so much emotional and psychological processing during sleep, it would be foolhardy to overlook the content of our dreams or label it as purely random,” says board-certified sleep physician and psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, M.D. “Like the famous ink-blot tests, the interpretation […]

By Danielle Sinay, Apr 7, 2023 “Sleep loves rhythm and regularity, and part of that regularity is having a predictable sequence of events that starts telling the brain to slow down and get ready for bed,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double-board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “A regular […]

By Lisa Fields, Apr 5, 2023 “I’ve had a number of patients with this same issue, and indeed we have asked them to call local pharmacies and see if they had any Adderall in stock,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist in Menlo Park, California. Sometimes, a pharmacy may not have your dosage, but it may have […]

By Patty Onderko, Apr 3, 2023 Once underlying health conditions are either ruled out or managed, your doctor may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) as your first sleep “aid.” “CBT-i is the gold standard treatment for insomnia,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in […]

By Nina Chamlou, Mar 30, 2023 “The primary causes of sleep apnea are typically related to physical [conditions], such as obesity or [a] blockage of the airway,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. “Essentially it’s a problem with the air […]

By Hannah Yasharoff, Mar 25, 2023 There are also certain people who are at-risk for a negative experience, even with the proper setting and dosage. Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who specializes in psychiatry and sleep medicine, previously told USA TODAY that anyone with any personal or family history of schizophrenia should steer clear of these substances. Click HERE for the full story.

By David Rossiaky, Mar 3, 2023 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, noted that an individual’s discipline and impulse control are a factor, too. “It could well be that the people that have the discipline to get good sleep also have the […]

By Mary West, Feb 20, 2023 Medical News Today reached out to Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who founded Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and is board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, for his definition. “Essentially, this is insomnia that is not due to any particular cause, such as anxiety, alcohol, caffeine, or jet lag,” explains Dr. Dimitriu. “It is also not […]

By Brie Schmidt, Feb 19, 2023 If you’re one of the lucky few that has feel-good recurring dreams, there’s likely no need to put an end to your happy nighttime fantasies. But if your dreams are disrupting your sleep and leaving you feeling uneasy, it’s time to take action. “Some recurring dreams are worthy of more […]

By Sarah Bradley, Feb 15, 2023 “Proper alignment between the body, neck, and spine can minimize the risk of neck pain,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “The best way to tell if your pillow and mattress are well coordinated is to have your bed partner observe the alignment of your […]

By Madison Storm, Feb 6, 2023 BPD is a mental disorder that impacts one’s moods and behavior. BPD can be difficult to diagnose because of its overlap with other disorders. There are several disorders that often occur with BPD, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse, says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a double board-certified psychiatry and sleep medicine expert and founder […]

By Layla Khoury-Hanold, Feb 2, 2023 One of the main causes of crying in your sleep is past trauma. The reason that unresolved trauma or grief manifests in our sleep is due to our brains performing daily processing functions. “Part of this is cleaning up toxins and storing memories, but another major part is processing what […]

By Eileen Bailey, Jan 22, 2023 “I often tell patients that ‘antidepressants dull the passions, bad and good,’ says Dr. Alex Dimitriu a physician in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD. “The highs and lows can be attenuated, though fortunately, when someone is low, feeling less so […]

By David Rossiaky, Jan 18, 2023 “The human brain is a pattern recognizer and really enjoys getting it right,” said Dr. Alex Dimitriu, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD. According to Dimitriu, songs that are highly danceable or energetic could in fact […]

By Kelly Burch, Jan 14, 2023 Psychiatrist and sleep medicine expert, Dr. Alex Dimitriu, is of the mindset that you can catch up on sleep, but only if you haven’t let your sleep debt grow too great. By definition, one hour of sleep lost equals one hour of sleep debt. “If the sleep debt is greater, the time […]

By Stacey Zable and Timothy J. Forster, Jan 5, 2023 Head support: What’s most important is ensuring your head is supported in the right places by your travel pillow – and, in particular, not being pushed forward by excessive padding – according to Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a sleep/wake and performance specialist who is dual board certified […]

By Brian Morris, Jan 04, 2023 “Some studies have been carried out showing that melatonin can reduce stress around surgery,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double board-certified physician (Psychology and Sleep Medicine) who founded Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine as well as BrainfoodMD. “In a 2015 review paper, the authors noted benefit to pre- and post-surgical anxiety in people pre-treated […]

By Kaitlin Vogel, Dec 20, 2022 After a large meal, our bodies have to work to process the food, and our heart rate and metabolism remain elevated. This is the opposite of the restful effect desired when sleeping, says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo […]

By Frances Gatta, Dec 13, 2022 Generally, “the efficacy of hypnotherapy depends on the participant, with some people being more prone or open to suggestion than others,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., double board-certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD. Around 80% of people, Dr. Dimitriu […]

By Phil Lowe, Dec 8, 2022 The founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, Dr. Alex Dimitriu, says people need to stock how they feel. You ought to determine what causes the fatigue. Is it anxiety, lack of sleep, or being too busy at work? Experts claim that glutamate concentrations will often reduce when you […]

By Emily Laurence, Nov 30, 2022 While it’s true that breathing through your nose at night is healthier than breathing through your mouth, Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD, says there is a major problem with mouth taping. “The issue […]

By Kaitlin Vogel, Nov 20, 2022 “Often, people with pressured speech are minimally aware of any of their own urgent feelings underlying it, or they feel a sense of urgency from outside themselves without identifying with that feeling as their own,” says Dr. Thomas Adams, a board certified psychiatrist. “They are also often not aware (or have […]

By Suzy Hernandez, Jenny McGrath, Nov 16, 2022 “Light sleepers may want as few distractions and artificial light as possible,” said Alex Dimitriu, MD , founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. “Deep sleepers may want an alarm that is loud or gradually loud, possibly with light or a sunrise simulator to facilitate waking up from a […]

By George Citroner, Nov 14, 2022 Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD, told Healthnews that Precision medicine is the use of specific biological or genetic information to provide a “customized solution” to a patient. “It involves the use of genetic testing, biomarkers, and […]

By Elizabeth Laura Nelson, Nov 6, 2022 You’ve probably heard of “the Sunday scaries,” but in case you’re unfamiliar, Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry&Sleep Medicine and a SleepFoundation.org medical-review board member, explains: “Sunday scaries are essentially a form of performance anxiety, much like before a test or a presentation.” For those of us who […]

By Erin Marie, Nov 3, 2022 “Based on this paper, I believe physicians can take a more multi-disciplinary approach to treat chronic pain more thoroughly,” Dr. Alex Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD. Click HERE for the full article.

By Emily Laurence, OCT 28, 2022 Since melatonin occurs naturally in the body, you may be wondering when it can be helpful to take it in supplement form. Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, a sleep doctor and psychiatrist, says that some people find it beneficial to take melatonin when they’re traveling to help with jet lag. Some people […]

By David Rossiaky, Oct 27, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD, told Healthline that TMR works by associating a stimulus — such as a specific sound — with a specific thought while you’re awake. “Then when the same sound is played during sleep, the brain re-activates […]

By Brianna Graham, Oct 20, 2022 “Before relying on any substance for sleep, make sure your anxiety is well-managed, your bedtimes are regular, and that you are getting daylight and exercise during the day.” —Dr. Alex Dimitriu, Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine Click HERE for the full article.

By Eileen Bailey, Oct 11, 2022 “But, individuals with sleep apnea can experience morning headaches caused by nighttime hypoxia (low oxygen levels) due to sleep apnea,” explained Dr. Alex Dimitriu, an expert in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD. “These morning headaches should be distinguished from migraine headaches,” […]

By Rebecca Strong, Oct 10, 2022 Schedule these conversations for a time free of distractions when you’ll have the energy to listen to each other, suggests Emily Rose Heard, a licensed marriage and family therapist with Menlo Park Psychiatry. For instance, opt for a quiet afternoon rather than after a long and stressful work day. Click HERE for the full article.

By George Citroner, Oct 4, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD, said that people who have thoughts of suicide are typically treated with a combination of medication and therapy.“Lithium, ketamine, and anti-depressants have been shown to reduce suicidal behavior,” he continued. “I […]

By Helen Massy, Sept 30, 2022 “Be sure you have thought things through, balanced pros and cons, and found a place of some peace before sharing a medical diagnosis with others, especially children,” said Alex Dimitriu, M.D., who is board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California […]

By Erica Sweeney, Sept 22, 2022 People breathe through their mouths as a backup when they’re unable to breathe properly through their noses. “People tend to mouth-breathe because their noses are congested” from a cold, sinus infection, allergies, deviated septum, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, who’s double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep […]

By Julia Ries, Sept 16, 2022 Abrupt changes to your medication regimen could make you feel more tired and hungry than usual or impact your energy and mood. Fortunately, these symptoms should only last for about a week, according to Dr. Dimitriu. If for some reason you run out before filing your prescription again and are […]

By Adam Bulger, Sept 14, 2022 “An unfair criticism would be to see a mistake as a personality flaw,” California couples therapist Emily Heard says, adding that words like ‘never’ and ‘always’ can be red flags of conflating behavior with character. Click HERE for the full article.

By Shannon M. Bauer, Sept 12, 2022 While the time at home brought certain benefits to some families, others have felt a lack of balance in work and in life since the beginning of the pandemic. Jeff Leininger, a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California says for many, the pandemic also […]

By Vanessa Ling, ND, CNS, Aug 31, 2022 Psychiatry and psychology can both be a part of your optimal treatment plan, and some online therapy platforms combine therapy with psychiatry. Board-certified psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, M.D., explains how psychiatry and psychology can work together, stating, “Some people may be “stuck” in therapy for years if a biological problem […]

By Erica Patino, Aug 25, 2022 To understand how narcolepsy can impact your health, it helps to first take a look at how the condition can affect the body. “Narcolepsy is [thought to be an]autoimmune disorder resulting from the loss of orexin neurons in the brain,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

By Mili Godio, Aug 2, 2022 “Not everyone is an equally deep sleeper, and people with any sleep issues at baseline will often have a harder time sleeping in a louder and less comfortable environment — such as an airplane,” added board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a sleep medicine specialist. He noted that posture plays a big […]

By George Citroner, July 25, 2022 Individuals experiencing moderate and severe anxiety disorders may want to use WATs with caution, said Jeff Leininger, NP, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California. He said that neuroscience points to a “dysregulated serotonin system” for people with active eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder […]

By Susan Fishman, July 22, 2022 According to Emily Heard, MFT, a marriage and family therapist in Menlo Park, California, power imbalances in relationships often arise around specific themes, including:  finances sexual intimacy decision making duties and responsibility When trying to handle these or other power imbalances, Heard explains three common dynamics can play out: demand/withdrawal distancer/pursuer […]

By Ann Pietrangelo, July 13, 2022 “The goal ultimately may not be to avoid having such dreams, but rather approach them with curiosity to better understand them,” Dr. Alex Dimitriu, of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, told Healthline. Recurring dreams about death can be the result of ongoing stress and unresolved issues. Try to identify the […]

By Eileen Bailey, July 12, 2022 There is a place for pharmacogenetic testing when treating people with depression, according to Dr. Alex Dimitriu, an expert in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD. Some situations that might call for genetic testing include treatment-resistant depression and more complex cases. “It […]

By Eileen Bailey, July 6, 2022 “As a sleep specialist and psychiatrist, I cannot underscore enough the power of restorative sleep, especially for people with [Alzheimer’s]. I have seen some substantial improvements in cognition by improving sleep quality and duration,” said Alex Dimitriu an expert in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry […]

By Lisa Marie Basile, June 30, 2022 “Pain does not have to be extreme to keep us awake,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and a SleepFoundation.org medical-review board member. “Even milder forms of pain can result in varying degrees of insomnia, resulting in trouble falling or staying  asleep.” […]

By Stephanie Barnes June 24, 2022 Despite knowing we shouldn’t, it’s just so hard to resist reaching for a phone, iPad or laptop while in bed. However, Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a physician double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, urges people to try. Dimitriu explained that screens are both bright with blue light and interactive, which is wake-promoting. […]

By Nicole McDermott, June 23, 2022 Xanax (also called alprazolam) is one of the most well-known anti-anxiety medications, says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double board-certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD. “It’s in the class of drugs called benzodiazepines, also known as muscle relaxants or […]

By George Citroner on June 6, 2022 “Because distance learning isolates students from each other and reduces sensory input from social interactions, adolescents can have more trouble learning not just from their teachers, but from their peers,” Board-certified psychiatrist and trained psychotherapist Dr. Thomas Adams at Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, told Healthline. Click HERE for the full article.

By Virginia Pelley, June 2, 2022 A self-improvement journey has a positive impact on relationships because it conveys a sense of self-awareness and an ability to grow and evolve, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. Ideally, these goals are mutual, and appreciated as furthering the needs of both people in the […]

By Helen Massy, May 23, 2022 Alex Dimitriu, M.D., board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California and BrainfoodMD supplements, explained the main challenge in diagnosis is teasing apart IED from anxiety, stress, depression or sleep deprivation, as these conditions are far more common. “People act explosively with […]

By Madeleine H. Burry, May 13, 2022 “The ability to travel faster (with jet engines) has resulted in people being able to fly to a place faster than their biology can adjust to the new local time,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park […]

By Eileen Bailey, May 11, 2022 “It is important to note that the people in this study had severe enough infections to require hospitalization,” Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist with expertise in sleep medicine, told Healthline. “Hospitalization often means things got clinically bad enough to require a hospital stay – and this often means hypoxia, […]

By George Citroner,  May 9, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD, noted that parents need to focus on themselves first. “Self-care is the first priority,” he said. “It is mandatory for the parent or caregiver to assure that their own basic biological […]

By Lauren Vinopal, May 4, 2022 People who take antidepressants will stop abruptly for many reasons, but psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu says it often has to do with the fact that antidepressants take weeks to work. “Because of this delayed feedback loop, it’s easy to not see the benefits or costs of starting or stopping treatments — it […]

By Jenn Sinrich Apr 29, 2022 If you frequently find that you need to catch up on sleep with a long nap or sleep in on the weekends or on vacation, it could be a sign that you’re lacking in sleep efficiency, warns Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park […]

By George Citroner, Apr 27, 2022 “Obstructive sleep apnea results when the throat/airway collapses due to obstruction during sleep,” explained Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD. He described it as trying to suck on a straw that is blocked on […]

April 23, 2022 Fit for Joy Podcast. Valeria Teles interviewed Dr. Alex Dimitriu about natural mood and brain boosters. Dr. Dimitriu brings a deep respect for science and spirituality into his work. Professionally, Dr. Dimitriu is dual board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He is currently writing a book about the interplay of therapy and […]

By Hedy Phillips, Apr 14, 2022 However, melatonin can become so much a part of someone’s daily routine that they may feel like they can’t sleep without it. “Many people who take melatonin for insomnia may also have some degree of anxiety, especially around sleep — and this is where routines become locked in, and people […]

By Justin Krajeski, Apr 1, 2021 A pillow “can make a big difference in our ability to sleep well,” says sleep medicine specialist Alex Dimitriu, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist. While you can try to supplement your sleeping situation with blackout curtains or sleep masks or melatonin diffusers, your posture at night is just as important — as is the right pillow to […]

By George Citroner, Mar 30, 2022 Although in more extreme cases, Dimitriu said stronger measures might be needed to treat this condition. “Therapy has been shown to be as effective as medication for depression – however it can take longer, unlike two pills of Prozac,” he cautioned. Dimitriu said medications might be more beneficial and faster acting than […]

By Madeleine H. Burry, Mar 19, 2022 “The snooze button can be a nice way to procrastinate waking up, or wake up a little more gently,” says psychiatrist and sleep physician Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD. Click HERE for the full article.

By Nicole McDermott, Mar 10, 2022 “Why we dream is uncertain, but we do know that the brain does a lot of cleanup and memory packaging—and rehearsing—during the night,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double board-certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California. Dr. Dimitriu […]

By Lauren Schumacker, Feb 25, 2022 We all know lying is something that should generally be avoided. However, telling small white lies every now and again to prevent awkward situations or help someone out can be harmless. That being said, no one wants to be unknowingly lied to and manipulated. “People lie because quite often some version […]

By Colleen Travers, Feb 25, 2022 Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double board-certified doctor in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BRAINFOODmd, warns that in some instances, particularly if you have subpar airflow through your nasal passages, mouth taping may result in worsening your sleep quality, so he often doesn’t recommend it to […]

by George Citroner on Feb 18, 2022 “My belief is that inflammation can certainly occur in the body as well as the brain,” said Dr. Alex Dimitriu, double board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and Brainfood MD. He explained that specific forms of mental illness, such as depression, have […]

By Marilynn Larkin, FEB 15, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine Sleep in California, commented in an email to Reuters Health, “I believe sleep should be considered a vital sign, along with heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure. I often see sleep as the tip of the iceberg – […]

By Eddie Kim, Feb 8, 2022 “Marijuana is a particularly touchy subject because unlike alcohol, or even cocaine, it can linger in the body for weeks. My patients are often forthcoming about marijuana use, and I rarely will request drug testing. With a good therapeutic relationship and trust, many people are often willing to reduce […]

By Vanessa Caceres, Feb. 4, 2022 Valerian is a plant originally from Asia and Europe, although it’s now also grown in North America. Valerian root has been used throughout time for its calming properties, and has earned the nickname “nature’s Valium,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who’s double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder […]

By Emily Laurence, FEB 2, 2022 Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, a dual board-certified psychiatrist and sleep doctor, says there are many ways to activate the vagus nerve, which will then send a body-wide signal that it’s time to relax. One popular way, he says, is deep breathing. “Breathing deeply from your diaphragm so your stomach expands outward […]

By Ryan Castillo, January 31, 2022 It’s increasingly hard these days to find LED bulbs that are the color of candles or sunset (>3000k is like a blue sky, and 2200k is hard to find), but in reality, it’s those lights that are more amber hues that help our bodies realize it’s the evening and time […]

By Heidi Borst,  Jan 28, 2022 What Are the Four Stages of Piaget’s Cognitive Development? Piaget studied how children develop mental models for the world around them as they grow, says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, California. “He […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

By Sarah Fielding December 07, 2021 The following day, a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) monitors people as they take naps. It records how long a person takes to fall asleep and when they enter REM sleep, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. Doctors […]

By Lauren Krouse, Nov 19, 2021 “Anyone that consistently gets less than six hours of sleep per night or experiences significant next-day symptoms of fatigue, low mood, or sleepiness, should consider speaking with a doctor,” says Dr. Dimitriu.  Click HERE for the full article.

Written by Heather Grey on November 17, 2021 “Anyone with insomnia should start with good sleep hygiene, regular bed and wake times, technology off 1 hour before sleep, and a cool dark bedroom,” Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist, sleep medicine specialist, and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California told MNT. “When insomnia persists despite efforts […]

By Mary Sauer, November 11, 2021 “A short nap of 20 to 30 minutes can often be a healthy alternative to drinking more coffee,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a psychiatrist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. In fact, getting about 30 minutes of sleep can put you in a better mood and improve your memory. […]

By Sarah Fielding, November 03, 2021 Unlike sleep apnea—a more common sleep disorder with an estimated 40% genetic component, according to the Sleep commentary— narcolepsy is not commonly passed between family members. In fact, narcolepsy type 1 has “a very mild genetic component,” Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry […]

By Jessica Migala, October 28, 2021 Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb, and it can be helpful for sleep, Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, tells Health. It’s considered an adaptogen, aka a plant that’s thought to help the body […]

By Kaitlin Vogel  October 21, 2021 “There is situational anxiety and overall background anxiety,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “Panic attacks are the highest and shortest form of anxiety, and can be really intense. Fortunately, as most panic attack sufferers know, […]

Written by Beth Ann Mayer on October 19, 2021 “Being…in school or starting work also results in later nights out, and [people often keep] an early wake schedule to get to work,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board certified psychiatrist, sleep medicine expert, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “This particular combination can lead to insufficient […]

Dominique Michelle Astorino・October 13, 2021 If you’ve had a hard time falling asleep (and staying asleep), you’re not alone. Some of the most popular articles here on Well+Good are about sleep—and specifically how to get the most restful sleep. Whether it’s due to stress, anxiety, insomnia, or a really good show we can’t stop watching, many of us […]

By Kiersten Hickman, October 6, 2021 “Indeed social media can be like any other addiction,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “At base, there is a foraging or searching behavior, which is often rewarded with ‘a find,’ and the ensuing surge in dopamine. Many […]

By Donna Sarkar Oct 5, 2021 According to Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine expert, we can break down a night’s rest into a specific cyclical pattern known as sleep architecture. This pattern consists of four to five sleep cycles that alternate between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. Dimitriu explains that our body needs these different cycles […]

By Carly Lanning,  September 29, 2021 “Sleep is essential, especially good-quality sleep,” Alex Dimitriu1, M.D., founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, tells SELF. “During sleep, we process and pack away memories, as well as emotions. If trauma or anxiety is disturbing sleep, it is essential to get help.” Click HERE for the full article.

By Sarah Sheppard, Published on September 20, 2021 “The brain recharges and does a fair amount of emotional and memory processing at night,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, who considers sleep to be a vital sign, along with blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. We all need sleep; it’s essential. But […]

By Carolyn Steber, Sep. 8, 2021 Of course, you’re way more likely to lie awake at night if you’re extra sensitive to stress and/or have anxiety. “People with anxiety are often too inclined towards being awake, and indeed with all those pulses of adrenaline throughout the day, sleep can become impaired,” Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double board-certified doctor […]

By Stephanie Barnes, 08/25/2021 According to Alex Dimitriu, the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, tracking your sleep could be the key to improving the quality of rest you’re getting. He recommended Snorelab, an app he also uses. “Snorelab is an excellent app which records audio all night,” he said. “For anyone who wakes up frequently […]

By Lauren Vinopal, August 24, 2021 That said, psychiatrists like Alex Dimitriu argue that it’s impossible to divorce the Sad Blob ad from its larger pharmaceutical agenda — no matter how relatable it might have been. “These same ads also push people toward a particular treatment, when there may well be a good number of alternative […]

August 17, 2021 | BY: Kate Bayless People just don’t have enough time for themselves between workdays, says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and sleep expert at Sleep Foundation. Research agrees. A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that the more an individual had to resist certain desired behaviors or actions during the day, the more […]

Emily Laurence・August 13, 2021 Psychiatrist and sleep medicine doctor Alex Dimitriu, MD, explains that there are three types of sleep: deep sleep, REM sleep, and light sleep. “When someone drinks alcohol, they spend less time in REM sleep, and that’s the sleep phase where we dream the most,” he says. If you have a few cocktails […]

By Dominique Michelle Astorino, August 05, 2021 At its most basic, a nocturnal panic attack is just that: a panic attack that happens at night. Sometimes known as sleep or nighttime panic attacks, a nocturnal panic attack occurs in lighter stages of sleep (vs. deep sleep) without any obvious triggers and often wakes the person […]

Jenna Ryu USA TODAY, Jul. 26, 2021 “When people are stuck or suffering, well-guided change can be beneficial, and psychedelics are agents that encourage such transformative experiences,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who specializes in psychiatry and sleep medicine but does not use psychedelic treatments with his patients because the treatments are illegal. He adds psychedelics […]

By Mili Godio, Shop TODAY, July 19, 2021 Board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist Alex Dimitriu, MD, suggested looking for an air mattress with a more breathable or cooling material (like a cooling gel) between the sleeper and the plastic part of the mattress “so you can cool down and not sweat during the night.” If you can’t […]

Isadora Baum・July 18, 2021 “Night affirmation is the process of making positive statements about oneself before falling asleep, such as ‘I did my best today,’ or ‘as I drift off to sleep, I release all worry and tension,’” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & […]

By Sarah Fielding, July 13, 2021 “Some people with anxiety are too awake, while others with depression or low energy may be too inclined into the sleepy direction,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine.  “My anxious or stressed patients will often have what I […]

The NFRW included feedback from Dr. Alex in their post: The Glow Up Challenge: 41+ Experts Share Their Best Tips  Dr. Alex included some tips about sleep habits you can start using tonight to get a better night’s sleep.  

By Jennifer Billock JULY 04, 2021 “People with RLS will often experience an itching or burning sensation which is relieved by movement,” said Alex Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in California. “These symptoms occur in both legs, and often get worse in the evening, closer to bedtime, and can keep people awake.” The hallmarks are […]

By Sarah Fielding, June 22, 2021 “Earworms at night have been shown to diminish sleep quality and refresh sleep,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “Music of all types also was found to benefit mood, even though some earworms diminished sleep quality. In […]

Suzy Hernandez, 6/17/21 For this guide, we spoke with Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine who I also interviewed for our best sunrise alarm clocks guide. “Light sleepers may want as few distractions and artificial light as possible” said Dimitriu. “Deep sleepers may want an alarm that is loud, or gradually loud, […]

June 14, 2021 Our strongest desire —over more sex and money— is to get more sleep! In this episode, Baz chats to Dr. Alex Dimitriu, he is dual board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and he talks to us all things sleep; how to improve sleep, how to sleep more and how can sleep […]

BY CAROL LEE, JUN 9, 2021 Help clients achieve a healthy sleep schedule by offering these top tips from Alex Dimitriu, M.D., founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine (CA). Click HERE for the full article.

Sleep Junkies·Blog·05/31/2021 “The moon, by providing brighter light in the evening may indeed entrain our circadian rhythms,” Dimitriu says. “Likely this takes time, being outdoors and without interference from artificial light sources. A single glance at a full moon on one night, may not be enough to alter sleep immediately.” Click HERE for the full article.

Leila Jones, May 21, 2021 Dr Alex Dimitriu, founder at Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine explains it further for us: “Sleep and especially dream sleep is truly a natural virtual reality experience. For people who are able to lucid dream – even more so – because they are able to actually control the content of their […]

By Kaitlin Vogel  @@KaitlinVogel, May 19, 2021 “Temperament is the foundation that everything is built upon; it often has strong genetic roots, and is stable over time,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. Click HERE for the full article.

Ashley Laderer, May 14, 2021 But the brain also does a lot of mental processing during REM sleep. So much so that some people refer to this as the brain’s own internal “therapy” system, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is dual board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep […]

By Erin Heger, 4/29/2021 Magnesium plays a role in muscle and nerve regulation, which may explain why some — albeit limited — research suggests it could help people who are struggling to get enough sleep, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. For example, a small 2012 study found that participants ages 65 and up […]

By Elizabeth S. Mitchell/April 22, 2021 While cortisol might sound scary – since many associate it with being the stress hormone – it actually has a positive affect on our energy levels with proper doses at the proper time. Medical doctor Alex Dimitriu tells Well and Good that these clocks can not only work, but may […]

April 15, 2021 | By Diana Kelly Adds Dr. Alex Dimitriu, M.D., founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, their main benefit might be a drawback at night. “Also keep in mind that the heat generated under a weighted blanket may be detrimental to good sleep, as people sleep better when the body can cool down,” […]

By Lindsey Lanquist, April 05, 2021 “Sleep is like a bank account, and it takes time to build up and time to deplete,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “Chronic sleep deprivation builds up to moodiness, depression, irritability, more anxiety, less impulse control … and worse, memory.” Hearing that, it’s pretty clear […]

By Ambar Pardilla, April 1, 2021 A pillow “can make a big difference in our ability to sleep well,” noted board-certified psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, MD, a sleep medicine specialist. Like your posture during the day, your posture throughout night is just as important. Generally, the wrong pillow will fall short for two reasons: It’s too high or […]

Lana Farinha, Active Mothers Podcast, March 23, 2021 Dr. Dimitriu was the guest on the Podcast.  Click HERE to listen.

By Marilynn Larkin, MARCH 17, 2021 Dr. Alex Dimitriu founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in California also commented by email. “There appears to be improvement at six months, which is then lost at 12 months. Also, and perhaps suggestive of a placebo effect, for both adherent and non-adherent.” “While there may still be a […]

By Emilia Paluszek, March 15, 2021 “Attention and focus are also impacted with poor sleep, and people will experience trouble learning and retaining new material, or being increasingly forgetful of previously learned material,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD. Click HERE for the full article.

March 8, 2021 by Elizabeth Enochs “Bright lights and screens suppress melatonin. They trick your body into thinking it’s daytime still,” Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double board-certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, told POPSUGAR. “Besides making it harder to fall asleep, bright lights and screens can also […]

By Lindsay Champion, Feb. 23, 2021 We hate to break it to you, but you can’t. There is no shortcut for a good night’s sleep, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “The body goes through specific stages of sleep, which we refer […]