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Dr. Nancy Wolf, M.D.

Psychiatrist

Dr. Nancy Wolf is a psychiatrist practicing in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Wolf is a medical doctor specializing in the care of mental health patients. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Wolf diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. Dr. Wolf may treat patients through a variety of methods including medications, psychotherapy or talk therapy, psychosocial interventions and more, depending on each individual case. Different medications that a psychiatrist might prescribe include antidepressants, antipsychotic mediations, mood stabilizers, stimulants, sedatives and hypnotics. Dr. Wolf treats conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, insomnia, ADD and other mental illnesses.
Dr. Nancy Wolf, M.D.
  • Beverly Hills, California
  • Yale School of Music
  • Accepting new patients

Why am I not happy as all other moms around me are?

You could have a post partum depression which is often set off by the big change in hormones that occurs with childbirth. It is similar to experiencing a sudden menopause. there READ MORE
You could have a post partum depression which is often set off by the big change in hormones that occurs with childbirth. It is similar to experiencing a sudden menopause. there are times that once the depressions starts it feeds on itself - guilt leads to negative thinking and keeps the depression going.

Medications even for a breastfeeding mom are useful. Zoloft for example has very little entry into the milk supply. Therapy and support groups are also helpful.

Is it safe for me to conceive if I am on antidepressants?

It is safe to be on certain antidepressants and not necessarily others. This should be discussed with the gynecologist and the psychiatrist. But being pregnant with untreated depression READ MORE
It is safe to be on certain antidepressants and not necessarily others. This should be discussed with the gynecologist and the psychiatrist. But being pregnant with untreated depression also has risk factors for the fetus so treating the depression is definitely important. A medication risk could be wellbutrin with inconclusive evidence for heart defects, while zoloft has a very low risk in pregnancy of infant problems and any problems that would occur do not even come up until the third trimester

Can bipolar disorder affect anyone at any age?

There is a stronger predisposition to it in people who have a relative with a mood disorder and/or bipolar disorder. The prevalence is higher depending on the number of immediate READ MORE
There is a stronger predisposition to it in people who have a relative with a mood disorder and/or bipolar disorder. The prevalence is higher depending on the number of immediate relatives with the condition. That said, stress makes everything worse and may increase the likelihood of manifesting the disorder or making it worse. It is also important to treat early so that there are fewer likely episodes to occur.

My mother is depressed with too much pain in her body. What should I do?

Clearly it is important to know the source of the pain and if possible treat the underlying causes. If the pain continues to debilitating as in situations such as arthritis, then READ MORE
Clearly it is important to know the source of the pain and if possible treat the underlying causes. If the pain continues to debilitating as in situations such as arthritis, then learning how to meditate can be helpful in reducing the time in pain as well as reducing stress and depression around the pain. It is also important to assess whether depression is adding to the pain in which case an antidepressant can be tried. Some antidepressants actually reduce neurologically based pain.

I'm having some severe chest pain with anxiety. Is this dangerous? What could it be?

The likelihood is that the pain is do to hyperventilation. Blowing off carbon dioxide actually reduces the intake of oxygen. It can even induce angina. More likely is that you READ MORE
The likelihood is that the pain is do to hyperventilation. Blowing off carbon dioxide actually reduces the intake of oxygen. It can even induce angina.

More likely is that you are swallowing air and these sharp pains are gas pains. Of course it would be wise to check with the internist to rule out any cardiac concerns.

I recommend treatment with SSRI medication and possible cognitive behavioral treatment along with a meditative practice to.have a tool to calm yourself.