Dr. Sanjaya Saxena M.D.

Psychiatrist | Psychiatry

17140 Bernardo Center Dr. Suite 300 San Diego CA, 92128 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

Dr. Saxena does research, clinical practice, and teaching in the UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry. He is the Director of the UCSD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD) Program and Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine. He also treats patients at Rogers Behavioral Health-San Diego's partial hospitalization program (PHP). His research focuses on the neurobiology and treatment of OCD, Hoarding Disorder, and related disorders, using functional brain imaging to identify how treatments for these disorders work in the brain. He has authored or co-authored over 80 scientific articles and book chapters and has presented his work at many major national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Saxena serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the International OCD Foundation and was an advisor to the DSM-5 Workgroup on Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. He and his colleagues developed the diagnostic criteria for Hoarding Disorder, which is now listed as a separate diagnosis in DSM-5. Dr. Saxena has been elected into Best Doctors in America every year since 2005, and elected into Castle Connelly’s and US News & World Report’s America’s Top Doctors every year since 2008. He is also heavily involved in teaching psychiatric residents and medical students at UCSD and won a teaching award in 2007.

Education and Training

University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN Medical Degree

UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Los Angeles, CA Other Degree

Board Certification

Psychiatry and NeurologyAmerican Board of Psychiatry and NeurologyABPN

Provider Details

MaleEnglish 27 years of experience

Dr. Sanjaya Saxena M.D.

Dr. Sanjaya Saxena M.D.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

I’m pretty sure I have a tic disorder?
Your involuntary facial movements and sounds certainly could be due to a Tic Disorder, but there are also several other potential causes of involuntary movements. So you need to have a thorough evaluation by a Neurologist to diagnose exactly what is going on. This does not require going into a hospital at all. Tics and other Movement Disorders are treated by Neurologists, usually with regular outpatient office visits. Sincerely, READ MORE
Are there ways to deal with depression without medication?
You should first get a thorough evaluation to determine whether you have clinical depression, or some other disorder that can cause depressive symptoms. The choice of whether to start with medication treatment, psychotherapy, or both will depend on many factors. Antidepressants are well proven and work well for most people. Specific types of psychotherapy, namely cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) have also been shown to be effective treatments. Most people with depression do best wth the combination of medication and therapy. READ MORE
Are there ways to deal with depression without medication?
You should first get a thorough psychiatric evaluation of your depression. The choice of whether to start with medication treatment, psychotherapy, or both will depend on many factors. Antidepressants are well proven and work well for most people. Specific types of psychotherapy, namely cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) have also been shown to be effective treatments. Most people with depression do best wth the combination of medication and therapy. READ MORE
What can I do to overcome my fear of heights?
Fear of heights is one of the most common phobias. It is very treatable and responds well to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). You should get an evaluation and CBT from a psychologist who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. READ MORE
Can OCD be cured?
There is no cure for OCD, but it can be controlled and greatly improved with treatment. The two types of treatment that have been proven to work for OCD are 1) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) using a technique called exposure and response prevention (ERP) and 2) medication treatment. The combination of CBT and medications works best. Your brother should start by getting an evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience treating OCD, and starting treatment ASAP. READ MORE
Is there any medication to cure OCD?
Yes, certain medications are quite effective for treating OCD. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medications are the primary medications for OCD. Other classes of medications can be added as "boosters' to augment treatment response. The other treatment that is highly effective for OCD is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) using the technique of exposure and response prevention (ERP). Most people with OCD do best with the combination of CBT and medications. READ MORE
My daughter is starting to tell me she is hearing voices. What is causing this?
Voices that someone hears when no one is around, that occur when someone is fully awake, and that seem to be inside one's head or coming from an invisible source, are called auditory hallucinations. It is important to distinguish these hallucinations from just imagining or remembering someone speaking, replaying a conversation in your mind, or having a flashback of a traumatic event you experienced. True auditory hallucinations can be caused by a number of different conditions, including schizophrenia, psychotic depression, severe manic episodes, and by certain drugs, including amphetamines (like Meth), cocaine, PCP, psychedelics, LSD, mushrooms, and others. Less commonly, they can be caused by neurological disorders, such as epilepsy (seizure disorders), severe brain infections, or degenerative brain diseases. The first important step is to get your daughter evaluated by a physician, preferably a psychiatrist, as soon as possible, to diagnose the problem and start treatment. Auditory hallucinations usually respond very well to medication treatment. READ MORE
Difference in treatment between a psychiatrist and psychologist?
Psychiatry and clinical psychology are two separate professions, with different training, knowledge, and skills. Both can diagnose and treat mental disorders, but in different ways. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (with an MD degree) who specialize in mental health and psychiatric disorders. Psychiatrists have broad medical training, so they can test for common medical causes of depression and anxiety, including endocrine disorders, brain diseases, medications, etc. They are licensed to prescribe medications and specialize in medication treatment of depression, anxiety, and many other mental disorders. They are also trained to do psychotherapy, although many do not do much psychotherapy in their practice settings. Clinical psychologists have Ph.D. or Psy.D. degrees in psychology, but are not medical doctors, don't have training in pharmacology, and cannot prescribe medication. However, they often have more training and experience in doing psychotherapy than many psychiatrists. They also have expertise in doing psychological testing and assessment. READ MORE
How does psychotherapy work in treating OCD?
One specific type of psychotherapy is very effective for treatment of OCD. It is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) called exposure and response prevention (ERP). It has been the gold standard treatment for OCD for over 30 years. Other types of psychotherapy that don't include ERP do not work for OCD. Medications can also be quite effective for OCD. The combination of medications and ERP is the most effective treatment, especially when someone has not only OCD but also other disorders, such as depression or other anxiety disorders. READ MORE