Blog Archive
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...
The fall brings many of our favorite things: piles of brightly colored leaves, apple cider with donuts, and cooler temperatures that allow us to turn off our air conditioners finally! But for many, the spooky season of Halloween time only highlights the nightmares that interfere with sleep and quality of...
If you are tired of how Fibromyalgia has negatively affected your life, you are not alone. Five years ago, Lady Gaga revealed her Fibromyalgia diagnosis and recently shared how the resulting pain caused multiple tour cancellations over her impressive career. In short, Fibro cost her millions. But what is it costing you? Fibro...
The mental health of parents and children is connected in multiple ways. Parents who have their own mental health challenges, such as coping with symptoms of depression or anxiety may have more difficulty providing care for their child compared to parents who describe their mental health as good. Caring for...
It is estimated that U.S. military veterans are nearly 4x as likely to develop PTSD as someone who didn’t wear the uniform. According to the VA’s published statistics, the number of veterans with PTSD varies by service era: Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF): About 11-20 out of every 100...
Imagine this: You are planning a boat trip across the water. You prepare your boat, load your supplies, pick a destination, and set off. Everything seems well at first. The sky is clear, the sun is bright, and the day is beautiful. There are other travelers in their own boats....
Emerging research confirms our belief that our brains and our gastrointestinal systems are closely connected, influencing mood, mental health, and our sense of well-being. These two organs are connected both physically and biochemically in a number of different ways. How the vagus nerve controls your brain AND your gut There are...
You can read the full article at the Wall Street Journal, from May 7, 2022 or read my synopsis below. __________________________________________________________________________________ Summary: Today we treat all anxiety as a malfunction to repair. We need to adapt our model of dealing with this critical emotional response and better discern between anxiety and...
4 Reasons Why Veterans Should Consider Getting Care Outside of the VA There is no question that United States veterans deserve access to top-tier medical attention for whatever conditions they may have. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was created to help veterans get the medical care they need, but...
For much of the last two years, the majority of us have been struggling with the reality of how to live with the prolonged isolation from family and friends that came with the COVID-19 global pandemic. This health crisis created levels of anxiety and fear many of us have never...
It seems like everything from television to social media encourages drinking as a way to relax. But, the relationship between alcohol and anxiety is often more complicated. Many adults can safely drink in moderation, but for others, alcohol may cause anxiety or aggravate pre-existing conditions. There are several reasons why...
Fear is by far the most powerful emotion that humans experience. When faced with the prospect of change, people often feel scared, worried, or anxious. These feelings are natural. We all experience them, and it's not necessarily a bad thing. But fear and anxiety can keep people from living the...
Getting enough sleep is important because it helps your body and mind to recover from the day's activities. When you're well-rested, you're able to think more clearly, make better decisions, and be more productive. Sleep helps to boost mental wellbeing by improving mood and memory function. A good night's sleep...
I have a few questions for you! Do you believe that the health of your body and mind is directly influenced by the food items you consistently consume? Do you believe that the food you regularly eat can create stress, inflammation, and disease in your body? If you knew that...
Relationships are the most challenging aspect of life with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Typically, these individuals are hesitant to interact with others, have difficulty speaking in public, are frequently self-conscious, and worry about what other people think of them. It's important to understand that Social Anxiety Disorder is not the...
Not many people are comfortable asking their friends or neighbors for a referral to a psychiatrist. There is often an inner sense of shame or embarrassment when people are considering getting a psychiatric consultation. Even in today’s more “enlightened” environment, the social stigma associated with what is a medical condition...
Anxiousness or anxiety is a normal reaction to various kinds of events and circumstances in our lives. Stress and anxiety manifest as a part of our inner caution systems to notify us about potential threats or other hazards, often preparing our bodies to fight back or get out of a...
As we begin a new year, it’s common in our culture to think about setting goals for the year ahead. Before the ball even drops to ring in the New Year, people start talking about their goals. While it’s great to look forward with intention, setting goals can feel overwhelming...
Are you very self-conscious in everyday social situations? Do you avoid meeting or interacting with new groups of people? An estimated 15 million, or 7%, of American adults have social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also commonly known as social phobia, is a mental health (brain chemical imbalance) disorder...
It is a scientific and clinically-proven fact that more women are prone to chronic pain than men. According to U.S. Government statistics, females are 90% more likely to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes chronic widespread pain, than are men. Reasons as to why this occurs are not...
An estimated 70% of adults in the United States will experience at least one traumatic event during their lifetime, and 20% of those individuals will develop PTSD (Kadish, 2019). PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition that may occur in people who have witnessed or personally experienced...
Depression affects approximately 280 million individuals worldwide. This medical disorder is characterized by persistent feelings that negatively affects how one feels, thinks, and acts. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person and can either be chronic or episodic. There are a variety of treatment options that can help reduce...
What are Anxiety Disorders? It's natural to feel anxiety from time to time. But if anxiety does not fade or change with situations, and if the signs of anxiety disrupt your capability to live the life you want, then it might be a more serious condition. There are numerous types...
It’s important to recognize the signs of Anxiety with Depression, as both disorders would need to be adequately addressed. "How does she have depression? She's not crying all the time." "How could he be depressed? He's always laughing." These are the questions peers may ask about their classmates, parents about...
Watch our latest video where Dr. Sambunaris offers advice on how to deal with the "new normal" of back to school! CLICK HERE
When students transition from high school to college, the adjustments that most 18-year-olds have to make are the biggest of their young life! Sometimes this transition can cause feelings of anxiety, but there are ways to cope and adjust. Depending on one's background and past experiences, some people may acclimate...
On any given day, you may become worried, stressed, or anxious. Maybe you just started a new job, or maybe you have a test tomorrow. You'd often hear people complain of feeling anxious about something, but does that mean they have Anxiety? How is Anxiety different from stress? Although it...
Send your resume to: hello@drsambunaris.com or fax to 770-817-9201 We are seeking an energetic, engaged, motivated Medical Affairs Coordinator for our growing practice located in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Medical Affairs Coordinator performs a wide array of tasks related to patient administration, recruitment, and retention. Successful candidates will be proficient in...
The following is a guest post written by one of our patients. We thank them for sharing their experience and also hope this resonates with someone enough that they take action to get the help they need so they can get back to brain health and wellness. As you all...
Living with a mood disorder like depression or anxiety can be a struggle for adults, but it is particularly challenging for those in high school and college! In addition to affecting their ability to learn and gain critical adulting skills, it puts them at greater risk for suicide. Teen...
On June 16, 2021, an announcement was made regarding an investigational medication that many of you have participated in at some point over the past four years. Sage Therapeutics and Biogen Announce Positive Pivotal Phase 3 Results for Zuranolone, an Investigational Two-Week, Once-Daily Therapeutic Being Evaluated for Major Depressive Disorder. ...
Pain, particularly chronic pain, is more than just a physical sensation; it is also a powerful emotional condition. It has the power of affecting everything from mood, behavior, and thought and has the potential of causing dependence, isolation, and even immobility in some cases. Similarly, pain in these ways relate...
Depression is a mental disorder that both men and women struggle with. However, in the case of men, the disorder can look very differently that it looks in women. According to a statement from the National Institute of Mental Health, biology and social pressures contribute to the difference on how depression...
The Relationship between Fibro, Chicken pox and Herpes Simplex Virus Chickenpox and Shingles are both caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) with the difference being one’s stage of life. Once infected by HSV, the body mounts an immune response and ultimately controls the infection but never entirely removes it...
“I’ve had months at a time where I wake up and get that sinking, doomed feeling knowing that today is going to be a bad day.” “I have flat moods every day and I just don’t know what to do.” “I don’t see any change in my mental and physical...
Fibromyalgia (Fibro) can best be described as chronic pain (likely) caused by disrupted nerve signaling. It is a highly complex disorder with a variety of symptoms that come and go, making it difficult to identify, diagnose and treat. The disease also includes specific pain points used in making a clear...
Insomnia, the inability to sleep, and depression, feeling sad / blue / down / flat are two distinct but often overlapping disorders. They share common symptoms, including: lack of motivation, lack of sleep, and fatigue. About 7.7 million adults in America suffer from what they think is chronic insomnia, but...
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and a loss of interest. Pain is the regular feeling of discomfort, even during everyday routine activities. Pretty obvious, right? But did you know that the same way that you can see lightning before you hear thunder, pain...
We all know that chronic stress leaves us feeling exhausted and worn out. But what if that stress becomes an actual medical condition like depression or anxiety? All three scenarios can negatively impact your physical and mental wellness, speeding up the aging process! Research shows that chronic stress, depression, and...
If you have anxiety, then you’re more likely to have attention disorders. Researchers believe there is a brain connection between them. Initial studies on teens reveal that they’re more likely to have both issues together. If you have anxiety or trouble concentrating, consider these discoveries: The link between anxiety and...
Anxiety is a typical emotion we all feel from time to time. It may consist of nervousness, fear, or a worry. Common situations where we might get anxious include: facing a problem at work, the moment before taking a test, or when you must make an important decision. You or...
Insomnia is awful. And it is sneaky, affecting your life in multiple ways: 1. You feel irritable. Exhaustion from a sleepless night can lead to irritability every once in awhile. However, for those with insomnia, their irritability is more frequent and potent. Being constantly annoyed makes it difficult to maintain...
Two of the most common mental disorders in the world are anxiety and depression. Although these are two different issues, they do have a lot in common. Understanding the fine line between depression and anxiety is very challenging due to the abundance of overlap. However, many patients can also struggle...
Discussing depression is important. It is a medical condition that extends far beyond sadness. Social isolation, loss of self-esteem, feelings of hopeless, failure, and helplessness are also symptoms of depression. Trying to handle it all alone may help to shield one from the stigma of depression, but it continues to...
Ketamine may alleviate depression, pain, and adverse effects associated with opioid treatment, and may thus represent an attractive adjunct therapy for pain management, according to a novel population analysis recently published in Scientific Reports, reported Linda Peckel in the Clinical Pain Advisor. The 2017 journal article offered that, “Current therapeutic approaches to depression fail for...
Pregnancy during the coronavirus has been difficult for many expectant moms, with a slew of new worries about a novel virus with unknown effects on pregnancy. Anxiety and depression before, during and after pregnancy — a range of conditions known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders — happen to more...
You worry about your children during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many of us are equally concerned about our elders, who are at much higher risk of death if they become infected. There may be only so much you can do—people young and old often discount the threat until it’s too...
Sometimes, when you experience a traumatic event — a car accident, an IED blast, military sexual trauma, or the death of a fellow Service member — that moment can continue to bother you weeks, months, and even years later. That can mean reliving the event: constantly replaying it in your...
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, and not just physically. Taking care of your mental health is important too, especially because no one knows when the crisis will end. The GOV.UK website shares this guidance on staying balanced during these uncertain times: Maintain a schedule of regular...
Depression…what exactly is it? Depression is a type of mood disorder that is exhibited through a variety of constant and intense negative emotions. Physical symptoms can also exhibit themselves, such as lack of appetite. Sudden negative events, such as the loss of a loved one, can trigger a depressive episode....
Yes! Long periods of stress can be the trigger for clinical anxiety, a medical condition. In the body, stress hormones, called cortisol and corticotropin, regulate how the body regulates pressure. When normal amounts of stress occur, these hormones are released in response to the perceived threat and then fade away...
Anyone with chronic stress knows how it can leave you feeling completely wiped out at the end of the day. It turns out it does so much more than that! In truth, chronic stress—along with anxiety and depression—actually speeds up the aging process, and negatively affects your physical well-being. Recent...
When looking up treatments for depressive symptoms on WebMD or Google, you might find that it suggests you start taking herbal remedies or altering your diet. Herbal remedies and diet alteration seem like easy solutions to your depression, when in reality the effectiveness of these treatments are doubtful. Studies show...
Fibromyalgia, or FM, is a common medical disorder defined by a chronic and widespread pain throughout the body, but has a variety of other symptoms. Fibromyalgia can sometimes be confused with arthritis, but isn’t the same necessarily as arthritis causes inflammation and damage to the joints or to muscles. It...
Antidepressants are supposed to make people feel better by alleviating the usual symptoms of depression. However, some people experience side effects like weight gain, anxiety, irritability, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and loss of sexual desire. After having tried several different types of antidepressants, some people still are not able to find...
Fibromyagia can best be characterized as a habitual state of pain due to disruption in the signals of nerves. Fibromyalgia, or FM, is an intricate malady with a diverse range of symptoms that can come and go with no warning, which makes it hard to recognize and treat. Physicians and...
Do you ever find yourself asking yourself these questions? “My antidepressant is making my sleep worse.” “I get so anxious when on my antidepressants.” “I keep gaining more and more weight.” “I’m not feeling as down, but I still can’t focus on my work at all.” “I keep on...
PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, was once not even considered as a medical disorder by physicians. However, now through plenty of clinical studies, trials, and medical research, PTSD is now known to be a serious and legitimate medical disorder that needs appropriate medical treatment. With so many options out there,...
I’ve had periods where I wake up in the morning and already have a feeling that today is going to be an awful day. My mood feels off or flatevery day. I feel sluggish and tired all the time…I just can’t seem to get motivated. I never feel social anymore…it...
When we first think about what PTSD really is, we usually think about what Hollywood has portrayed PTSD as for years: veterans having flashbacks of gunshots, explosions, and soldiers crawling through the jungle. For some this may be the case, but PTSD is much more varied. PTSD—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—is defined...
Do you find yourself saying any of these? “I used to smile all the time, but now it is just too hard to.” “I can’t concentrate on my work at all. I just want to go home right now.” “I always feel worthless or guilty for no reason at...
One of the biggest misconceptions about ADD is that by self-medicating with legal stimulants, like caffeine of nicotine, then this will help solve my ADD symptoms and make me feel normal. The truth, however, is that coffee and cigarettes won’t quite do the trick. Caffeine and nicotine has the...
Discussing depression with your children is always a difficult discussion to have, but also incredibly important. The markers of depression often go unnoticed in children due to their usual abundance of energy or positive attitudes. Shockingly enough, 60% of teens and children with depression are not being given help that...
ADD, or attention defecit disorder, is a neurological disorder that causes difficulty focusing, impulsive activity, and sometimes anxiety. Adults with ADD might say some of the following to themselves: “I just can’t seem to sit still. Sometimes, I have to get up and move around.” “I can’t do my...
The science: The basis of the neurogenesis (regrowth of damaged neurons) hypothesis of depression is that new neurons in the brain are needed to control mood and support the work of antidepressants. Recent studies that have looked at a wide variety of potential mechanisms like: hippocampal (the region of the...
60 million individuals suffer from insomnia daily. 35% of adults get less than 7 hours of sleep daily.6000 estimated yearly fatalities due to drowsy driving. Insomnia Results in: Concentration difficultiesDifficulties maintaining work performanceLowered cognition …all negatively affecting your daily life. 68% of all Americans have trouble sleeping at least once a...
Two of the most common mental disorders in the world are anxiety and depression. Although these are two different disorders, they do have a lot in common. Understanding the fine line between depression and anxiety is very challenging due to the abundance of overlap. However, it is shown that in...
The Benefits of Continuous Depression Treatments Continuity By maintaining a strict plan for prescriptions, the sustained response from the medication will more rapidly improve your health. Residual SymptomsAny minor symptoms that may have remained after the first three months of treatment will be subsequently removed by the body. RecoveryContinuing medications have...