Gagandeep Singh, MD


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  • "emotional I'm getting mad.... i stay normal all the time, but sometime when anything annoys me i get mad. start fighting, throwing things, yelling, get overwhelmed, etc. What is happening to me?"

    Anonymous Patient Anonymous Patient
    It is not a simple answer. Often times we see anger and we think bipolar disorder - but I try to not hone on this too quickly. Specific symptoms are required for the diagnosis of hypomania/mania. Increased anger can point to underlying issues of depression or anxiety, as well. However, there may not be "clinical" diagnosis. There can be unresolved conflicts with friends, loved ones, etc. which are causing difficulty because those are not being recognized and processed ... I would consider something like bipolar disorder or mood disorder after a careful assessment, but not think of it as the most common reason for this. There are also other concerns potentially such as intermittent explosive disorder, etc that could be considered. I think a consultation with a mental health professional is wise. If there are no clear symptoms highlighting a diagnosis or diagnoses, or perhaps in addition, I would speak with a primary care doctor about any physical work up to be done as well. Lastly, if you are taking medications/drugs, these could be impacting your mood also.
    Gagandeep Singh, MD
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  • "Breathing problems Lately I have been feeling as if I cannot breathe. I feel that way in my chest as if oxygen is not passing by that point and like there is none in my chest. This has never really happened before but just started during a performance I did on Thursday. Can you tell me what is wrong? Also I am a female and 14."

    Anonymous Patient Anonymous Patient
    Given what you are describing, and that this happened during a performance, this may be an anxiety attack - or more formally, a panic attack. Technically, a panic attack has 13 usual symptoms of which 4 are needed to diagnose an episode; dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling of loss of control, feeling of fear that you are in danger/may die, sweating, numbness/tingling, hot flashes, chills, etc. are among these symptoms. Sometimes, medical issues such and hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety symptoms. You should see a primary care physician to have an EKG and other work up possibly, just in case. However, if this is anxiety related in the end, the best treatment is therapy and possibly medication.
    Gagandeep Singh, MD
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  • "Fatigue I have been feeling very sluggish and very tired , downright fatigued! Almost falling asleep at work, i do get a lot of hours of sleep but cant get any energy"

    Anonymous Patient Anonymous Patient
    There are many things that can lead to these symptoms. One cause is possibly lack of restful sleep with sleep apnea, where the brain has multiple 'microarousals' at night that you may not be aware of, which are a result of usually obstructed airflow (due to increased weight or sometimes nasal passage blockages) leading to decreased oxygen to the brain and it sending a "wake up" signal that lasts so briefly that you are not consciously aware. Other causes include possibly low vitamin/nutrient levels such as B12 and folate, lower testosterone levels, and possibly low functioning (hypo-) thyroid. As a psychiatrist, I would note that life stresses, or full blown clinical depression (or seasonal affective disorder) and anxiety disorders can also cause fatigue quite regularly. Speak to your primary about getting basic bloodwork for the above hormonal/nutritional causes and possibly investigation into sleep apnea if you have a heavier body type and/or snore consistently at night.
    Gagandeep Singh, MD
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  • "10 year old ADD Will ADD medication change my kid's personality and appetite? Any way to avoid medication?"

    Anonymous Patient Anonymous Patient
    This is a very important question. Depending on the symptoms and their severity, medication is often the first line of treatment for ADHD. The are some side effects that can be noticed with medications, including changes in appetite. If there are significant changes in personality or mood, we typically steer away from that medication once that is thought to be associated with the medicine. Typically, if symptoms are somewhat more mild, behavioral therapy and interventions can be successful. However, often times medication is warranted for treatment. There are different types of medications, as well. The commonly thought of medications, known as stimulants, are the ones that are more associated with the changes in appetite. There are other medications that may be less effective, but also may have different side effects which may be less concerning to you. If you do pursue treatment, make sure to ask the doctor about all different options. In most cases, even with the stimulants, the benefits do outweigh the potential concerns. This is a personal decision and there is never just one way to treat a patient. However, the research does show that stimulant medications are usually the first line of treatment and have the greatest effectiveness of available medication classes for ADHD.
    Gagandeep Singh, MD
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  • "Will medication help me deal with the loss of someone I was close with? Or do i need to go to therapy? depression, anger, sad"

    Anonymous Patient Anonymous Patient
    This question is a great one. While I am an MD, and prescribing medications is part of my daily work, I feel that the concept of "medicating" ones emotions is something to be taken very seriously. As a physician, we are to first do no harm - to me, this includes minimizing the use of medications and side effects. I feel therapy is the first step in treatment for most mood/anxiety issues, and the importance of this cannot be overstated. So the answer to your second question about "needing" to go to therapy, I would say is 'Yes'! Medication may help with some of the symptoms of anxiety and/or physical and mental symptoms related to depression and grief, and there is no shame in taking medication if necessary. However, as it has been said by others, medication will not be the "cure" and, in my opinion, rarely should be taken without therapy alongside it as part of treatment - especially in cases of depression/anxiety and grief and loss. It may be difficult to find a therapist you immediately connect with, but do not give up on therapy as a whole due to one connection - it's THAT important! All the best, and sorry for your loss ...
    Gagandeep Singh, MD
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  • "imaginary bugs only on the left side of my head Any common cause for this"

    Anonymous Patient Anonymous Patient
    I agree with Dr. Greenspan's points. This may be related to an exogenous (external) substance if any are involved. Otherwise, I would also want to evaluate whether this may be a psychotic/delusional process with a psychological or combined psychological-and-organic basis vs a more strictly organic issue. I would wonder when the aortic valve replacement was to see if there could be any complications from the procedure leading to any lesions/emboli to the brain, though quite unlikely. Typically these type of thoughts are not there alone as a sign of such an issue - so I would hope that is not the case, unless you're having other complications with vision, hearing, balance, motor function, etc. Also, I would think it wise to get a CT scan or MRI to rule out any other types of brain lesions if nothing is found on a general medical check up - which should be your first step. Aside from the physical issues/medical concerns, there is the possibility of this being related to emotional and psychological stresses in your life, and a manifestation of the same without any physical cause. This could be a 'purely psychological' symptom, but I wouldn't want to assume that. All the best with your search for this cause.
    Gagandeep Singh, MD
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