Dr. Niloo Dardashti

Mercury Fillings Removal: What You Need to Know

admin — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:35:10 +0000

As a practicing holistic psychologist and having had my own mercury fillings removed, I know exactly what you need and don’t need to get this procedure done safely. I know the research, protocols, and which doctors to work with and why. More to come…

Weight Management & Weight Loss

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:37:24 +0000

There are a myriad of reasons why people find it difficult to lose weight or keep it off. Dr. Dardashti identifies these reasons and sets up goals with her clients, considering their needs and their particular challenges. She has been successful in helping hundreds of people to not only meet their weight loss goals, but to create and maintain healthier lifestyles that work for and are realistic for them. She combines her expertise in diet and nutrition along with easy Cognitive Behavioral techniques to teach skills and motivate her clients to achieve optimal wellness.

Over the years, Dr. D has found that "diets" usually don’t work and can often be a recipe for disaster. When one decides that they are going to stick with a specific diet, it is easy to fall off track once or twice and then give up, thinking that they are not "cut out" for dieting, or that they just do not have the "willpower." In this way, many people essentially set themselves up for failure, thinking that it is just too difficult for them to lose weight.

There are so many aspects involved in why someone may have trouble losing weight in the first place. Dr. Dardashti assesses for a number of these possibilities and gets to the root of her clients’ weight management problems. She then coaches them through the process of losing pounds and keeping them off, basing the plan on the client’s particular issues.

Treatment for Anxiety: Panic, OCD, Phobia, GAD

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:42:44 +0000

Over the years, one of Dr. Dardashti’s specialties and favorite things to treat has become anxiety. This is due partially to the quick changes that can be seen; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is very effective for anxiety.

However, anxiety manifests in different ways for different people. For example, for one person it may influence their social life the most, while in another it may have more of a somatic presentation (i.e. different uncomfortable physical sensations). By helping clients to become aware of the meaning of their particular constellation of anxiety symptoms, Dr. D has helped many people to have more insight into their "symptoms." This unfolds as a different way of understanding "symptoms," and is a process that integrates the use of exploration in conjunction with helpful strategies to feel whole and, simply put, to feel better.

Many people think that they cannot "control" their anxiety (or anxiety attacks) and that it is a problem they are going to have to live with for the rest of their lives. This could not be farther from the truth. Though there are some people who may continue to struggle with their tendency towards anxiety, many people can and do move past the symptoms of anxiety disorders and have the opportunity of creating a much better quality of life. Dr. D has had success with many patients in just 3 months of treatment.

Treatment usually consists of identifying core beliefs about oneself and the world, automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, and the cycle of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Afterwards, patients are helped to understand the impact of this cycle on their anxiety symptoms and are taught to implement successful strategies to overcome their symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Couples & Adults

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:05:05 +0000

CBT for depression and anxiety is focused on the present, involves a collaborative approach with patient and therapist, and works towards specific treatment goals. Treatment begins with identifying core beliefs about oneself and the world and likewise identifying automatic thoughts that are based on and confirm these core beliefs. Faulty thinking and distorted cognitions lead to feelings of depression and/or anxiety, and are the basis around which treatment is focused. Through identifying these thoughts and how they lead to the unwanted symptoms, one can eventually challenge and change this cycle, thereby improving mood, symptoms, and control over behaviors.

The basic cycle involves thoughts, which lead to feelings, which lead to the behaviors that we choose. Usually, core beliefs and basic assumptions about the world are the foundation from which automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions develop over time. The core belief is the lens through which the person perceives all sorts of situations he/she is faced with and, therefore, his/her automatic thoughts follow these appraisals, thereby setting the stage for reactions (emotions, physiological experiences, and behaviors). Some of these behaviors may or may not include what is referred to as self-fulfilling prophecies, which basically refer to one experiencing that which one expected without the awareness that he/she inadvertently played a significant role in actually CREATING this outcome. Confused yet? This may all sound pretty confusing, but the bottom line is very positive: you can make a difference in how you think, feel, and behave.

Accordingly, in relationships what each partner brings to the table (as far as core beliefs about self, world, and others, automatic thinking styles, perceptual patterns, family of origin histories, etc) create a dynamic interflow of perceptions and assumptions between partners. Often, these perceptions and assumptions can create problems, especially when they are based on faulty thinking or cognitive distortions (which we all have from time to time). It is important to cultivate compassion and clear communication in relationships in order to create and maintain awareness of what each person’s role is when there are difficulties encountered. The issue is not whether we argue in relationships; in fact, it would be unusual if a couple never argued. Rather, it is how we communicate during/after arguments and how we can use this in a way to prevent similar themes from recurring. Most couples find that they get stuck when they have those recurring arguments that don’t seem to go anywhere and never seem to get solved.

Entering therapy when problems first start to be noticed is a great way to “nip issues in the bud” before they become recurrent and troublesome. thereby improving mood and control over behaviors.

Core beliefs and basic assumptions about the world are the foundation from which faulty thinking and cognitive distortions develop over time. For example, an anxious patient may have a core belief about him/herself as being bad, inadequate, and/or defective. This individual may also think that other people are superior and critical. The core belief is the lens through which the person perceives all sorts of situations he/she is faced with and, therefore, his/her automatic thoughts follow these appraisals, thereby setting the stage for reactions (emotions, physiological experiences, and behaviors).

What is DBT or Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:00:24 +0000

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan (1993) as a treatment for Borderline Personality DisorderThe focus in DBT is on an integration of acceptance and change. A primary component is Mindfulness, which originates in the practice of Buddhism and entails a present-centered approach and emphasis on moment-to-moment experience. Essentially, CBT was integrated with this concept of mindfulness in an effort to help patients with BPD, who usually have histories of invalidation from one or more caretakers, to balance their need for validation with effective strategies for change. Many patients with BPD suffer with chronic emotion dysregulation and Linehan’s model was created primarily to deal with this issue, which she was finding much resistance to using classic CBT.

DBT treatment involves four major modules: Core Mindfulness Skills, Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills, Emotion Regulation Skills, and Distress Tolerance Skills. It also involves phone coaching and a significant amount of homework, where patients are told to fill out sheets and actually practice particular skills.

Since its inception, DBT has been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, ranging from depression, to substance abuse, to anger management. It has also been extremely beneficial for those who want some help with regulating their emotions and/or increasing their repertoire of coping skills for life circumstances. I have found an integration of CBT and DBT with an underlying psychodynamic model of conceptualization to be very beneficial for my patients. One thing that I find to be of universal benefit to almost everyone is the incorporation of Mindfulness. Awareness is probably the foundation of and the single most critical ingredient in making changes in one’s life. Mindfulness boosts the process of becoming more aware of oneself tenfold. What’s better is that most people can do it and find that it has life changing consequences for them.

Vitamin D: Depression, Bones & Immune System

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:53:48 +0000

Many people in the areas of the country in which it is not sunny year round have vitamin D deficiencyThis is very important, as vitamin D deficiency can affect people in multiple ways. One thing that most people know it is important for is bone health; however, vitamin D deficiency can also lead to depression. In addition, vitamin D has been found to be useful in the treatment of a variety of autoimmune problems. If you haven’t had your vitamin D levels checked, and especially if you do not get at least 20 minutes of sun exposure daily, make sure you get this important test done and try to do it at a LabCorp if possible, as there were some issues reported with Quest Diagnostics in their procedure of testing vitamin D levels. Also, if you do end up supplementing with vitamin D, make sure you get the D3 type (cholocalciferol) rather than the D2 type (ergocalciferol), which is not as absorbable. Some foods you can find vitamin D in include eggs (try to get cage free organic), alaskan salmon, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, cod liver, shrimp, mackarel, oysters, and herring.

What is Integrative Mind-Body Health?

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:14:15 +0000

Sometimes it is necessary to take medication; however, for people who are going through a difficult time, dealing with some stress, or having mild to moderate depression or anxiety there are many alternatives to medication.For instance, studies show that St. John’s Wort was just as effective as an SSRI for mild to moderate depression. Also, many people find relief of their symptoms by supplementing with the precursers to neurotransmitters, such as 5HTP for serotonin and L-Tyrosine for Dopamine. It is important to have a thorough assessment though, as some herbs and/or amino acids could affect certain conditions adversely. For example, St. John’s Wort should not be taken by someone who may be dealing with Bipolar Disorder, too much serotonin can deplete dopamine, and too much dopamine can deplete serotonin. Having a balanced HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis is a key component of regulation – not just mood, but for energy, digestion, immune function. For this reason, completing a test that measures HPA axis functioning can be an integral part of wholistic biochemistry testing for the goal of targeted amino acid therapy.

Holistic Ways to Prevent Colds & Flu

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:27:08 +0000

You could be avoiding the amount of times you catch colds, and their severity and duration by taking probiotics on a daily basis. Probiotics are the "good" bacteria found in our bodies and they have been shown to activate the immune system in a positive way. They have also been shown to be helpful for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, (a condition commonly affected by stress and anxiety for which Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help immensely as well), Crohn’s Disease, urogenital conditions such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections. Some women find that consistent use of probiotics rid them of these problems completely.

At the start of a cold, load up on some standardized Echinacea extract three times per day for a few days. It will give nice kick start to your immune system and in many cases put the spark out before it turns into a fire so to speak.

Load up on vitamin C (if you have GI issues, get the buffered kind). Recently I’ve heard many stories about patients having full remission of a bad flu just by taking a few grams of vitamin c for a few days. Don’t worry about loading up – the only thing that can really happen is that you can get some diarrhea, at which point you can just cut down.

Keep some elderberry syrup in your fridge. This is not only an immune booster but will help with sore or dry throat problems.

Make sure you don’t skimp on vitamin D. The latest noteworthy addition to this vitamin’s proven benefits are its immune enhancing properties.

Magnesium for Headaches, Muscle Pain & Anxiety

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:36:39 +0000

Most people are deficient in magnesium, a mineral that has a significant role in the human bodyMagnesium supplementation (especially in the face of a deficiency) can help with headaches, migraines, muscle cramps, anxiety, aches and pains, and PMS, among other things. In addition, magnesium is a wonderful supplement to add to your regimen if you have some trouble relaxing enough for sleep at night and/or if you find yourself getting constipated on a regular basis – which could also be helped by increasing fiber, and deep breathing with simultaneous relaxation of all stomach/sphincter muscles. There are many different forms of magnesium. Generally I have found magnesium glycinate to be the most easily absorbed form of magnesium. If you are taking magnesium mostly for constipation, magnesium malate would be your best bet. Please don’t forget about this very powerful mineral that is essential for your mind and body!

Some foods you can find magnesium in include: almonds, avocado, dates, figs, apricots, brown rice, cashews, pecans, spinach, wheat germ, buckwheat, coconuts, and sesame seeds.

Comprehensive Holistic Sleep Hygiene

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:00:45 +0000

"To sleep perchance to dream…." As we all know from our own experiences of sleepless nights, sleep (or lack of it) can affect every facet of your life. Here is a condensed version of information I have gathered over the years related to sleep.

Do not stay in bed if it has been 30 minutes and you still can’t sleep. Get up, go into the living room (or wherever else) and read. Try not to watch TV as the brightness and flashing stimulates your amygdala, furthering your inability to sleep, in addition to contributing to glutamate release, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter.
Make sure your room is super dark. Get the black out drapes you find in hotel rooms. Put curtains over them to cover any remaining lights coming in. Cover your alarm clock and any other LED lights that are lighting up the room. Accordingly, in the morning open all the drapes and give yourself a few minutes to just sit and absorb all the light. This will give you the proper stimulation to help wake you up.
If noise is a problem (which is usually the case for people living in NYC or other cities), try a noise machine. SleepMate is a good one and Brookstone makes a good one as well. Designs to Go Quiet Zone ear plugs are also good for this problem.
Particularly if your carcadian rhythm is off (i.e. if you work nights or travel a lot), melatonin can be very beneficial. 1-3 mg of the sublingual kind is usually what I recommend depending on the person and the issue.
Start dimming the lights from early evening. This will help get you into more of a relaxed and less of stimulated state before bedtime. Again, this will also inhibit glutamate release and help you slow down your mind.
Establish some sort of ritual for going to sleep at least one hour before getting in bed. This could include taking a bath (adding some drops of lavender will help relax you), having a cup of chamomile tea, writing down anything that may go through your mind about the next day while trying to sleep (i.e. things that need to be taken care of), journaling (i.e. writing about any feelings, thoughts, experiences, ideas that have not been verbally processed).
Try not to eat for 3 hours before going to bed. Otherwise your body is working at digesting foods instead of contributing to your overall efforts to relax. In general, if you’ve ever heard of the saying “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper,” it is right on. You don’t have to be rigid about this. Just keep it in the back of your mind and try to maximize your food intake earlier in the day and minimize it at night. In the earlier part of the day, your body is generally moving around more (hopefully) and working at digesting your foods. You want this to be emphasized earlier in the day rather than while you are trying to sleep. In Europe and the Mediterranean, this is generally how people eat and I am in total agreement with it.
Avoid eating foods that contain tyramine from the afternoon onwards such as: cheese, bacon, chocolate (which also has caffeine), ham potatoes, tomatoes, and sausage to name a few. Tyramine is an excitatory amino acid that could disturb your sleep. Instead, focus on eating the bulk of your carbohydrates in the evening, including tryptophan containing foods.
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, you should stay away from dairy at night, especially if you are prone to congestion, due to dairy’s effects on mucous production (which could lead to congestion and related issues).
Try not to ruminate about not sleeping. When you have catastrophic thoughts about not sleeping and how it could affect your next day, challenge your thoughts by remembering times in which you were fine the day after a not-so-great night of sleep. This is one aspect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia, which is a very powerful treatment for insomnia.
If you suspect that you may have a sleep disorder (other than insomnia), such as a sleep breathing disorder like sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome (a more benign form of sleep apnea), schedule an appointment with a sleep doctor. If this turns out to be a problem for you, you may benefit from an oral appliance or in some cases CPAP therapy. A good book on this subject matter is called Sleep Interrupted, by Steven Park, MD.
Besides the lighting in your bedroom, make sure it is conducive to sleep in other ways to make the ambiance soothing. Your bedroom should be a peaceful cocoon; a sanctuary for respite. To this end, limit any clutter in your room, don’t keep anything stimulating (i.e. computers or things that remind you about work) in there. Keep your pets away from your bedroom too – every time your pet moves, it could be shifting you from delta (deep) sleep back into a lighter stage of sleep. Accordingly, if your partner moves a lot, you may consider purchasing two twin mattresses and putting them in a king bed frame. Don’t fret! This will not make much of a difference, especially if you still use all king size bedding. It will simply limit you from feeling the vibrations of your mate moving around and thus disrupting your sleep, even if subtly, several times each night. Color your bedroom in light colors such as light blue, green, or white.
According to Feng Shui principles, too many mirrors in your room can increase energy in the room, thereby adding to insomnia – especially mirrors directly across from your bed or those placed in areas where you can see yourself from the bed. Also according to Feng Shui, it is best to place the bed in a position of the bedroom which faces the door.
Make sure you get some physical activity every day. Moving around and exerting yourself, even if it is just taking a brisk walk every day, improves neurochemical functioning. Do not exercise within 5 hours of bedtime.
If you suspect that you are grinding or clenching your teeth, see a TMJ specialist. There are many appliances that can help with this – the biggest sign would be a clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth and jaw pain. If you do clench your teeth, this could cause headaches. Besides oral appliances, there are some good ways to work on this, one of which includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Remove anything with an electromagnetic field (EMF) from a few feet within your sleeping space. Some people have received tremendous benefit just from doing this – it has even been helpful for people who complain of waking up with headaches.
Establish a breathing practice and body scan when you get in bed. Start with deep diaphragmatic breathing and begin a body scan from the tips of your toes to the top of your head. Bring awareness to each area, release each part separately one at a time, while visualizing yourself melting into the mattress with each exhale. Deepen your breathing practice by learning pranayama.
Get your hormone levels (including cortisol) checked. Hormones can play a big role in sleep. For example, a progesterone deficiency can cause or exacerbate insomnia greatly.
Last but not least, if you find yourself having recurring thoughts, feelings, or dreams that come up for you at night, talk about it. It is important to explore both the conscious and unconscious aspects that may be playing a role.