expert type icon EXPERT

Peter Sangra

Adolescent Psychiatrist | Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Dr. Peter Sangra practices Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in Santa Teresa, NM. Dr. Sangra evaluates patients throughout childhood and adolescence using many different procedures, in order to determine what treatments must be carried out in order to properly assess their symptoms. Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists are trained and certified to administer psychotherapy, medication, and many other means of treatment. Dr. Sangra seeks to improve each patients quality of life.
12 years Experience
Peter Sangra
  • Santa Teresa, NM
  • American University of Antigua
  • Accepting new patients

Why doesn't my son want to make friends?

Typically, kids are really more interactive and involved with friends and their age progresses. Consider getting some therapy to make sure there is no underlying issues going on. READ MORE
Typically, kids are really more interactive and involved with friends and their age progresses. Consider getting some therapy to make sure there is no underlying issues going on. I would just monitor for now and consider talking to his pediatrician as well. Any bullying? Any online buying going on? Talk to him as well, and see if there was a fall out with friends or something else.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra

Should I see a psychologist for panic attacks?

Yeah, that’s a great idea. You never know if someone from your past is bringing on the panic attacks. Hence, seeing a psychologist could provide benefits. Hope that helps, thanking READ MORE
Yeah, that’s a great idea. You never know if someone from your past is bringing on the panic attacks. Hence, seeing a psychologist could provide benefits.
Hope that helps, thanking for asking me.

Dr. Sangra

What are the techniques of behavior therapy?

Not entirely sure, but I feel that it is just retraining a certain pattern for another appropriate pattern, and being able to recognize the start of maladaptive patterns and/or READ MORE
Not entirely sure, but I feel that it is just retraining a certain pattern for another appropriate pattern, and being able to recognize the start of maladaptive patterns and/or thoughts. That’s about as simple as I can put it.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra

What do you do when emotional pain is unbearable?

Get a good therapist and connect with a church, friends and family. You will need ALL the support you can have right now. If you have any suicidal ideations and thoughts and/or READ MORE
Get a good therapist and connect with a church, friends and family. You will need ALL the support you can have right now. If you have any suicidal ideations and thoughts and/or actions, get yourself to an emergency room or call 911, or the suicide hotline, and get a psychiatrist involved, or let your primary physician know so they can monitor your situation.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra

My daughter still continues to be hyperactive. What should I do?

Great questions, First, look at a her diet and vitamin supplements. Make sure she is not taking or ingesting high amounts of fructose corn syrup or fructose sugar, commonly READ MORE
Great questions,

First, look at a her diet and vitamin supplements. Make sure she is not taking or ingesting high amounts of fructose corn syrup or fructose sugar, commonly found in many household foods, which bypasses the body's key regulation symptoms for controlling the amount of energy. This can present symptoms like those of your daughter. Also, make sure she is not taking vitamin B at night. I had a recent patient who was getting vitamin B12 at night, which causes excessive energy. Another question to consider is whether your daughter has had her thyroid levels checked, as that, too, can cause such symptoms. So, overall, make sure a FULL medical evaluation is completed before jumping to medication to calm her down.

Dr. Sangra

Why is my child all of a sudden losing interest in his schoolwork?

Wow. I can’t imagine how concerned you would be. thank you for finding me, I have little ones, so I totally understand. Okay, first thing that comes into my mind, is his sleep. READ MORE
Wow. I can’t imagine how concerned you would be. thank you for finding me, I have little ones, so I totally understand. Okay, first thing that comes into my mind, is his sleep. Has there been any changes, and how much sleep is he getting, and then look at his nutrition and if he's getting enough. If so, then let's look at the type of food he is eating. It should be high portions of eggs and protein in the morning, and high carbs in the afternoon. If not, then simply adjust so. Carbs will slow mental functioning and as his case load and school demands increase, you will see the above lack of focus. Also, question to see if he is getting bullied at school or picked on, if that’s not the case, then stick to questioning about sleeping and if he feels sleepy and tired at school.
Hope that helps! That should be a start.

Dr. Sangra

How can I help my son to gain confidence?

Okay. Great question. Your son falls into the typical age range for bullying. At first, it is physical, and then name calling, and, as he progresses in age, it will be rumor spreading, READ MORE
Okay. Great question. Your son falls into the typical age range for bullying. At first, it is physical, and then name calling, and, as he progresses in age, it will be rumor spreading, all forms of bullying. I’ve done extensive research in the studying of bullying and prevention. The best thing is to get your son into something other than school that can increase his self esteem such as karate or swimming, where he can continue to build himself and he will not be affected by the bullying as much. Also, have him hang out with his friends at school, and let them know and also let the school know as well.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra

Is my child having panic attacks?

Great question, I felt that same way when I was a child. It is a common fear, because it comes from love. Pray with him at night and let him know that y’all are protected and READ MORE
Great question,

I felt that same way when I was a child. It is a common fear, because it comes from love. Pray with him at night and let him know that y’all are protected and then provide him with a stuffed toy that will alert him and notify y’all if something is to happen. Most often, we need to come down to the level of understanding of your son, hence the object or toy.
Thank you for your question.

Dr. Sangra

Can yoga help my son improve his concentration?

Great question,

Yes, improving your concentration like praying and exercising can improve concentration, so I can’t see why Yoga wouldn’t, it’s worth a shot.

How can I help my daughter get over her breakup?

I’m sorry, I think just be with her and sit with her. Sometimes the greatest gift is our time and company, and hold back on any advice for now, it might be too soon and she might READ MORE
I’m sorry, I think just be with her and sit with her. Sometimes the greatest gift is our time and company, and hold back on any advice for now, it might be too soon and she might be hearing you. I’m sorry.

Dr. Sangra

What disorders are best treated with cognitive therapy?

Great question, you must be very smart, Any depression and anxiety where you need to change a few cognitive errors and need some gentle thought changes and/or correction to lead READ MORE
Great question, you must be very smart, Any depression and anxiety where you need to change a few cognitive errors and need some gentle thought changes and/or correction to lead you to the right path.
Hope that helps!! Keep up with the great questions.

Do panic attacks have long term effects?

Panic attacks can be severe and have long-term effects that can affect work, social interaction, and relationships. I would suggest getting professional help and treating it early. Hope READ MORE
Panic attacks can be severe and have long-term effects that can affect work, social interaction, and relationships. I would suggest getting professional help and treating it early.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra

Do you think I have depression?

Thank you for your honesty. The answer is most likely yes, Kelsey. If I could, recommend you getting professional help. Depression is an imbalance in the brain of serotonin. So, READ MORE
Thank you for your honesty. The answer is most likely yes, Kelsey. If I could, recommend you getting professional help. Depression is an imbalance in the brain of serotonin. So, you have options: medication or therapy or both. But in order to treat depression, you need to contact a professional. You can always call 911 and/or the suicide hotline or tell your pediatrician as soon as possible and or your parents.
Please get help, I was born to help individuals like yourself and you don’t have to feel this way. Please keep me posted Kelsey.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sangra

How to emotionally cope with scoliosis pain?

HI!! Okay, Scoliosis pain is “real”, meaning if we don’t fix the bone issues and nerve entrapment, then the pain will persist. Thus, first see your doctors about the pain issues READ MORE
HI!!

Okay, Scoliosis pain is “real”, meaning if we don’t fix the bone issues and nerve entrapment, then the pain will persist. Thus, first see your doctors about the pain issues and see if they can maximize their efforts first. Otherwise, you might need to recourse to mindfulness and meditation and other medications to help cope emotionally. Also, get yourself active with a young church group, and other activities, that may help as well.
Hope that helps.

Dr. Sangra

What does it mean if my child drags themselves instead of walking?

I would ask the pediatrician for your son. It does seem that he could be delayed and might need some therapy. He should have been crawling by now, please have his pediatrician READ MORE
I would ask the pediatrician for your son. It does seem that he could be delayed and might need some therapy. He should have been crawling by now, please have his pediatrician look at him.
Hope that helps.

Dr. Sangra

How do you detect BPD in children?

I wish I could honestly answer this, but I’m not exactly sure what “BPD” is. Is it Bipolar Disorder? If so, then it seems way too soon to diagnose and I would get a second opinion. READ MORE
I wish I could honestly answer this, but I’m not exactly sure what “BPD” is. Is it Bipolar Disorder? If so, then it seems way too soon to diagnose and I would get a second opinion. Otherwise, look up the DSM V diagnosis for BPD.
Hope that helps.

Psychology?

Thanks for your question. I personally do not like the word “hate,” it does seem so one sided. I would first question if you have depression? If so, then do not make sound changes READ MORE
Thanks for your question. I personally do not like the word “hate,” it does seem so one sided. I would first question if you have depression? If so, then do not make sound changes in relationship and self. I would wait because your body and perception of self will change in time. You’re still at an age of change and you are becoming yourself. So, with that, feel free to get evaluated or allow the process of change to take it’ course without “hate.”

Hope that helps, but in saying so, if you have any suicidal thoughts and ideations, please seek professional help.

Dr. Sangra

Stopping my teenage son's addiction to prescription medicine?

Yes, see a pain doctor and a psychiatrist please. They will help wean him off and get him treated appropriately. If at all confused with this medical process, then simply start READ MORE
Yes, see a pain doctor and a psychiatrist please. They will help wean him off and get him treated appropriately. If at all confused with this medical process, then simply start off with the primary care doctor.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra

Can you have a psychiatry consultation for an eating disorder?

Yes, a psychiatrist can provide a consultation for eating disorders. Most have been trained to diagnose and treat, but like anything in life, some doctors or psychiatrists have READ MORE
Yes, a psychiatrist can provide a consultation for eating disorders. Most have been trained to diagnose and treat, but like anything in life, some doctors or psychiatrists have a passion to treat any eating disorder, like myself. Remember with any eating disorder, family therapy is required. So, look for a family therapist to start therapy and have your 16-year-old friend do individual therapy separately.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra

When should I seek a child psychiatry consultation?

Yes, please do if you can. We are hard to come by. If you are having any challenges, then seek her pediatrician and they can help guide through the medical process of getting her READ MORE
Yes, please do if you can. We are hard to come by. If you are having any challenges, then seek her pediatrician and they can help guide through the medical process of getting her evaluated and treated.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Sangra