Dr. Robert Pollack, MD, ABPN, DLFAPA
Psychiatrist | Psychiatry
6804 Porto Fino Cir Suite 1 Fort Myers FL, 33912About
Dr. Robert Pollack is a psychiatrist practicing in Fort Myers, FL. Dr. Pollack is a medical doctor specializing in the care of mental health patients. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Pollack diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. Dr. Pollack 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. Pollack treats conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, insomnia, ADD and other mental illnesses.Over the past several years he has used genomic testing to better assess medication choices. He has also used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Theta Burst stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depressions as well as Ketamine Infusions to care for depression and PTSD. Recently they have added the use of QEEG for better diagnostic and treeatment efficacy.
Dr. Robert Pollack, MD, ABPN, DLFAPA's Videos
Education and Training
Downstate Medical Center/SUNY Medical Doctor 1973
Yale University BS 1969
Board Certification
Psychiatry and NeurologyAmerican Board of Psychiatry and NeurologyABPN
Provider Details
Dr. Robert Pollack, MD, ABPN, DLFAPA's Expert Contributions
New Depression Treatments Offer Hope and Healing To Many
Over the past 15 years, the treatment of depression and related illnesses has undergone a myriad of changes. A milestone that had a significant impact was the effective use of Genomic testing that assisted in utilizing psychotropic medications in a systematic and scientific fashion. Here, the...
Can ADHD be cured?
ADHD is primarily a congenital condition involving concentrations of dopamine and other neurotransmitters and the brains inability to process information. It can be controlled with medication or some other neuromodulation technique. READ MORE
How do doctors treat obesity?
Some obesity is a result of endocrinopathies and/or behavioral difficulties. Care with a qualified nutritionist can produce the most effective and longest lasting solution to this difficulty whether metabolically or behaviorally created. READ MORE
Do antidepressants do more harm than good?
Depression is a true Brain Disease. Over 70% of first episodes of depression can be treated successfully with antidepressants. A proper antidepressant prescribed by a knowledgeable psychiatrist can be a life saver. Improperly prescribed by someone not properly trained can be harmful. READ MORE
How long does it take for cognitive behavioral therapy to work?
No set time. It all depends on the degree of dysfunction and the skill of the CBT therapist. READ MORE
What are the treatment options for seasonal affective disorder?
Light/dark imbalance causes a decrease in Orexin that trigger mood disturbance along with an imbalance in serotonin. The simplest and preferred treatment is the use of light. White light of 10,000 lux added to the day before sunrise can precipitate a balance of serotonin and reestablish euthymia. These typically cost about $60 and can readily be purchased from Amazon. 10,000 lux white light. Do not stare at it just sit next to it for the requisite hour. READ MORE
Can you go to the hospital for anxiety?
Anxiety is a disorder of neurophysiological origin. Most anxiety can be pharmacologically treated. On rare occasions when anxiety is associated with psychosis, it might necessitate inpatient care, but that is very rare. READ MORE
What helps panic attacks fast?
“Fast” would be breathing rapidly into a brown bag. Properly means either short term use of diazepams or longer term use of SSRIs or another proper meds. Treatment by a psychiatrist is still the best. READ MORE
Can vitamin deficiencies cause anxiety?
Nutrients, vitamins and minerals are vital for maintaining your mental health. When these things are out of balance, symptoms like depression, anxiety and fatigue can rear their ugly little heads. If your mental health could use some support, it’s worth checking out if you are deficient. READ MORE
What causes anxiety disorders to develop?
In 1983 Dr David Sheehan wrote: Description Anxiety is not always psychological but rather a disease that can now be controlled. The symptoms are devastating: sudden unprovoked attacks of anxiety-accompanied by skipping and racing of the heart, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizzy spells. Even worse is the fear that you are losing your mind. Since then we have learned that serotonin from the limbic system interacts with the locus ceruleus and an imbalance create the disease we know as anxiety. We now treat anxiety with anti anxiety agents as well as SSRI antidepressants. It is a successfully treatable illness. READ MORE
Why does my mood change all the time?
Anxiety and Depression often coexist. It is not unusual for anxiety to show up first and then the depression. The emergence of the depression can be linked to the antianxiety medication being taken or the comorbid depression . A visit to the psychiatrist can get the medication better balanced. It is often found that the proper antidepressant can also effectively control the anxiety. READ MORE
Addiction to anti-anxiety pills?
Anxiety disorders have many origins and many avenues for treatment. Anti-anxiety medications have been used since the mid 1980s ever since Anxiety , the illness, was shown to be a neurophysiologically rooted illness. Antianxiety medications have been shown to be effective but have now become relegated to a second level for ongoing care. Use of SSRI medications have become a greater and safer option for the treatment of anxiety along with CBT. Getting away from anti-anxiety medications should be done under care of a psychiatrist who can also direct you to alternatives such as SSRIs, CBT, rTMS or even i.v. Ketamine Infusions. RWP READ MORE
How do you recover from depression?
Depression is a brain disease. In order to treat it there should be an evaluation by a trained provider who can assess the nature of the illness and then determine what treatment is warranted. 70% of depressions will respond to first line treatments. The other thirty percent are considered Treatment Resistant and 70% of these will respond to either TMS, TBS or Ketamine Infusions. Begin with a thorough diagnostic evaluation by a Board Certified Psychiatrist READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of MedicineFaculty Titles & Positions
- Assistant Professor in the LMHS Family Medicine Residency Program Florida State University College of Medicine -
Professional Memberships
- Florida Psychiatric Society
- American Psychiatric Association
Professional Society Memberships
- American Psychiatric Association, Florida Psychiatric Society
Dr. Robert Pollack, MD, ABPN, DLFAPA's Practice location
Practice At 6804 Porto Fino Cir Suite 1
6804 Porto Fino Cir Suite 1 -Fort Myers, FL 33912Get Direction
ESTERO, FL 33928Get Direction
Dr. Robert Pollack, MD, ABPN, DLFAPA's reviews
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Get to know Psychiatrist Dr. Robert Pollack, who serves patients in Fort Myers, Florida.
Dr. Pollack is a Florida-licensed, board-certified psychiatrist who has been in practice since 1977. He is the CEO of Psychiatric Associates of Southwest Florida (PASWFL) in Fort Myers, Florida. PASWFL was founded on the principle of providing the highest caliber of care for patients in an atmosphere of compassion, professionalism, and humanity. Its current practice is exemplary of contemporary medicine.
Among his various professional experiences, he serves as an Assistant Professor in the LMHS Family Medicine Residency Program at the Florida State University College of Medicine in Tallahassee.
Having served the public in many capacities, Dr. Pollack’s special interest focuses on the use of genomics testing to aid in the determination of the most effective manner in which to utilize psychotropic medications, as well as the use of rTMS, IV ketamine, TBS, intranasal esketamine, and QEEG for the management of treatment-resistant depression and other psychiatric illnesses.
After graduating from Yale University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, he went on to earn his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in New York City, New York. Thereafter, he completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he also served as Chief Resident and a member of the faculty.
Dr. Pollack is board-certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) - a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting high-quality patient care for the public through the initial and continuing certification of psychiatrists and neurologists. He is also a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Florida Psychiatric Society. In 2015, he was granted Life Fellow (LFAPA) status by the American Psychiatric Association Board of Trustees.
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. These include various maladaptations related to mood, behaviour, cognition, and perceptions. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. They are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.
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