EXPERT
Dr. Melina Spyridaki-Dodd, MD
Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Melina Spyridaki-Dodd practices Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in Allison Park, PA. Dr. Spyridaki-Dodd 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. Spyridaki-Dodd seeks to improve each patient's quality of life.
5 years
Experience
Dr. Melina Spyridaki-Dodd, MD
- Allison Park, PA
- SAMHSA
- Accepting new patients
Childhood Mental Health History and Struggles
From the methods the scientists use to create new medicine to the strategies, physicians use to manage and treat psychiatric illnesses, evidence shows a bias against children and...
Is my child having panic attacks?
Thank you for your questions at FADT. It sounds like a type of anxiety. There are things you can do at home first. If this does not work, or the disorder interferes with the child's READ MORE
Thank you for your questions at FADT. It sounds like a type of anxiety. There are things you can do at home first. If this does not work, or the disorder interferes with the child's life, then it is advisable to seek a specialist. Things to do at home is expose the child into incrementally more and more anxiety provoking situations, and allow the child to feel incrementally bigger amounts of anxiety. You start small and going up. For example let the child alone in the dark room for one minute while you are waiting at the door. The final exercise for example maybe let the child sleep alone in their room the whole night while you are sleeping in your room. This way the child masters and tolerates larger amounts of anxiety little by little, exactly as we strengthen a muscle gradually by lifting weights. I hope this helps. Thank you, Dr. Dodd, MD.
How is anxiety diagnosed in children?
Thank you for your questions at FADT. Anxiety is diagnosed in children typically by a child psychiatrist. The main criteria include feelings of stress and anxiety which interfere READ MORE
Thank you for your questions at FADT. Anxiety is diagnosed in children typically by a child psychiatrist. The main criteria include feelings of stress and anxiety which interfere with the child's life. Typically symptoms also include body pains and aches, inability to sleep, fatigue. I hope this helps. Thank you, Dr. Dodd, MD.
Does depression damage your brain?
Generally speaking depression (if correctly diagnosed) is a serious illness that if left untreated can have serious consequences for the person's life and health, and sometimes READ MORE
Generally speaking depression (if correctly diagnosed) is a serious illness that if left untreated can have serious consequences for the person's life and health, and sometimes leads to suicide. Depression has been connected to increased inflammatory processes in the brain, which means that there is a possibility that if depression is left untreated it could affect the brain in an adverse way. It is strongly advised that a child with suspected depression is seen by a specialist sooner rather than later. I hope this helps, Thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
At what age is it still ok for your child to have an imaginary friend?
Thank you for your question at FADT. So, typically as the child's brain matures and is more able to think abstractly, then the need for an imaginary friend gradually decreases. READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. So, typically as the child's brain matures and is more able to think abstractly, then the need for an imaginary friend gradually decreases. Generally speaking the human brain starts gradually maturing in adolescence, but the full brain maturation does not complete until age 25-26 years. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD
Why is my child wetting the bed at age 9?
Thank you for your questions at FADT. Generally speaking if a child presents with "new onset" bed wetting (meaning the child starts bed wetting after he was potty trained in the READ MORE
Thank you for your questions at FADT. Generally speaking if a child presents with "new onset" bed wetting (meaning the child starts bed wetting after he was potty trained in the past) then this may have several potential etiologies, including but not limited to: recent trauma, expression of anger or other feelings that the child feels are not allowed to be expressed at home or school, stress related to school/ friends/ sports. In addition there maybe dysfunctions related to the child genito-urinary system including kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder. Optimally the child's pediatrician and a mental health specialist will work together to diagnose and treat. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
What is behavioral therapy for autism?
Thank you for your questions at FADT. Behavioral therapy for autism typically involves helping the child learn social skills, as this is one of the typical difficulties in autism. READ MORE
Thank you for your questions at FADT. Behavioral therapy for autism typically involves helping the child learn social skills, as this is one of the typical difficulties in autism. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
What is the cause of sleepwalking?
Sleepwalking is a disorder of the sleep control centers of the brain. The causes maybe neurological or psychological or a combination of both. It is advised that the child seeks READ MORE
Sleepwalking is a disorder of the sleep control centers of the brain. The causes maybe neurological or psychological or a combination of both. It is advised that the child seeks the professional opinion of a specialist, especially if there are safety concerns. I hope this helps, than you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
How do I help my child who keeps having nightmares?
Thank you for your question at FADT. So typically nightmares is a symptom of an underlying disorder, typically anxiety or trauma. So that we must first identify the underlying READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. So typically nightmares is a symptom of an underlying disorder, typically anxiety or trauma. So that we must first identify the underlying disorder, then treat appropriately. How you can help your child at home is by making the sleeping routine as calming as possible. However it is advised to seek specialist help if common home remedies do not seem to work. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
What medicine is good for children's sleeping issues?
Thank you for your question at FADT. So I will start by saying that the first advise for a child with sleeping issues is non-pharmacological. Typically in medicine we use the milder READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. So I will start by saying that the first advise for a child with sleeping issues is non-pharmacological. Typically in medicine we use the milder treatments first, going to stronger treatments gradually if the previous treatment did not work. So it is advised that the first step would be home remedies including sleep hygiene, then going up to psychotherapy, and then going up to taking medication under the advise of a doctor. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
What are the benefits of speech therapy for anxious children?
Thank you for your question at FADT. Speech therapy for anxiety maybe beneficial in the case that the child's anxiety is mainly induced when the child speaks. However, if the child's READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. Speech therapy for anxiety maybe beneficial in the case that the child's anxiety is mainly induced when the child speaks. However, if the child's anxiety is triggered by numerous things and situations, then a more comprehensive approach is advised, including formal psychotherapy, and/or medications. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
Is long-term use of Prozac safe?
Thank you for your question at FADT. It depends what is the illness prozac is used for. For example, if the illness is clinical depression, then most of the disadvantages of prozac READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. It depends what is the illness prozac is used for. For example, if the illness is clinical depression, then most of the disadvantages of prozac (example some risk of interference with calcium metabolism, or changes in appetite) are of smaller significance compared to the risk of suicide if depression is left untreated. In addition, I think it is important to point out that approximately 30-60% of individuals age 25 years or younger with depression or anxiety, are able to stop their medication after two years of successful treatment. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
Can stomach problems make it difficult for a child to sleep?
Thank you for your question at FADT. Yes of course it can. In fact, gastrointestinal problems and sleeping difficulties can affect each other. For example "I am anxious and this READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. Yes of course it can. In fact, gastrointestinal problems and sleeping difficulties can affect each other. For example "I am anxious and this leads to my belly hurting and inability to sleep" or "my belly hurts, and this leads to inability to sleep due to the pain, plus it stresses me out because I am afraid there is something wrong with my health". I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
How to help a friend addicted to opiods?
Thank you for your question at FADT. Opioid addiction is a serious illness and typically needs very comprehensive treatment. The best outcomes come from cases who received comprehensive READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. Opioid addiction is a serious illness and typically needs very comprehensive treatment. The best outcomes come from cases who received comprehensive treatment, i.e. including going to therapy, receiving medications for underlying co-occuring mental health condition (e.g. depression), attending drug and alcohol specific intensive classes almost daily, and at the same time having good social support from family, friends, employer. So, the lesson from that is it is advisable that you help your friend together with a team of other people (friends, family, professionals). I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
What are the benefits of using cognitive behavioral therapy versus using behavioral therapy?
Thank you for your question at FADT. I think you are talking about bereavement and how to help it. The differences between cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral therapy are READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. I think you are talking about bereavement and how to help it. The differences between cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral therapy are basically in the depth of changing the behavior and mindset of the individual. Behavioral therapy just changes the behavior (e.g. I practice not to cry about my grandpa). Cognitive behavioral therapy changes the behavior and mindset (e.g. I hurt gradually less of my grandpa's loss because more and more I rationally understand that I can still feel happiness without him, should not feel guilty about it, and that it is ok to miss him forever without feeling deep emotional pain). I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
Can old concussions cause headaches?
Thank you for your question at FADT. Yes absolutely they can. It is advisable to seek professional help by a concussion specialist. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
Is depression a serious condition?
Thank you for your question at FADT. Clinical depression is in most cases a relatively serious condition, the main reason for this in a lot of cases is the high risk of suicide READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. Clinical depression is in most cases a relatively serious condition, the main reason for this in a lot of cases is the high risk of suicide and cognitive problems. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
What is the best way to treat an eating disorder?
Thank you for your question at FADT. According to most recent scientific studies, the best outcomes regarding eating disorders are coming from cases that were treated via "family READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. According to most recent scientific studies, the best outcomes regarding eating disorders are coming from cases that were treated via "family based therapy". This is a type of therapy which involves the entire family, it is very intense, and focuses on the well-being of the individual as she functions in the family unit, and the family's roles and behaviors towards the individual. Generally speaking, some severe cases of eating disorder need inpatient hospitalization at an eating disorder specialized clinic to prevent cardiovascular complications. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
Stopping my teenage son's addiction to prescription medicine?
Thank you for your question at FADT. Generally speaking, it is advisable that children, adolescents and young adults do not use narcotics for any reason, even after surgery, due READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. Generally speaking, it is advisable that children, adolescents and young adults do not use narcotics for any reason, even after surgery, due to the high risk of addiction. It is advisable that doctors do not prescribe this in most cases, and also it is advisable that if it is absolutely necessary to prescribe, that it is only a very short course of medication, e.g. a week or less at very small doses. Of course there are exceptions. I would advise in your specific case that your son, under your support, seeks the advise of a psychiatric team. In addition it would be beneficial to seek psychotherapies that treat pain via mindfulness strategies, and cognitive behavioral therapy. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
Is ADHD a serious condition?
Thank you for your question at FADT. So ADHD can be mild, moderate or serious, depending how much it interferes with the person's life. For example, in mild cases, the person has READ MORE
Thank you for your question at FADT. So ADHD can be mild, moderate or serious, depending how much it interferes with the person's life. For example, in mild cases, the person has only mild difficulties completing some of her math work, but otherwise no other problems. In severe cases, the person's difficulty to pay attention is so significant that for example, the person may forget to look at both sides before crossing a road. The treatment options follow the severity, that is, mild ADHD may just need a quiet room to do math work. Moderate ADHD may need mind-fullness-based psychotherapy and maybe medications, severe ADHD may need a combination of therapy and medications. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
Can you have a psychiatry consultation for an eating disorder?
Thank you for your questions. Yes, a psychiatrist, including myself, can examine and diagnose eating disorders. I hope this helps, thank you! Dr. Dodd, MD.
