Dr. Carmen Mayugba Sugai MD
Adolescent Psychiatrist | Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
1001 S KNIK GOOSE BAY RD WASILLA AK, 99654Rating
4/5
About
Dr. Carmen Mayugba Sugai is a Psychiatrist with a sub-specialty in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Her practice involved caring for adults and children who suffered from psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, Post-traumatic disorder, bipolar disorders, psychoses, attention problems, neuro-developmental issues: neuro-psychological effects of alcohol and drugs in children, autism and mental deficiencies. She practiced in the New Orleans and Northshore areas of Louisiana from 1990 to 1995, then to Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 1995 till 2010,then to Alaska from May 2010 till May 2016, serving the Alaska Native tribes in SouthEast Alaska and Central Alaska. She retired from active clinical practice in May 2016 and now wants to share clinical insights on this website.
Dr. Carmen Mayugba Sugai MD's Videos
Education and Training
University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines MD 1977
University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital General Psychiatry Residency 1981
University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowhip 1983
Robert Wood Johnson Medical University, New Jersey General Psychiatry Residency 1988
Tulane University, New Orleans,LA Child and Adolescent Residency 1990
Tulane University of Louisiana 1990
Board Certification
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (Psychiatry and Neurology)
Psychiatry and NeurologyAmerican Board of Psychiatry and NeurologyABPN- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Provider Details
Dr. Carmen Mayugba Sugai MD's Expert Contributions
Inattention: Is it ADHD or Something else?I
Problems with inattention in children is a common complaint that parents bring up to the doctor's attention. To make a good assessment and management of this problem, one has to have a good work-up to find the cause of inattention. ADHD - Attention deficit Hyperactivity disorder is usually noted in...
Can a psychiatrist treat people who are suffering from alcohol addiction?
Addiction is caused by multiple factors, including psychological factors such as depression or anxiety. The first step in treatment of addiction to drugs and alcohol is to achieve sobriety first. Once the person is cleared of the substance of addiction, then counseling or therapy can be used to help the person get to understand his psychological issues which may have contributed to his addiction. READ MORE
Is there a connection between mental health and chronic pain?
Depression and anxiety can coexist with chronic pain syndromes. The neurotransmitter in the brain - serotonin - is involved in pain as well as in depression and anxiety. READ MORE
What could be the reason my mother is just not eating?
Your mother could be suffering from intense grief from the loss of her husband. To be safe it is best for her to see a counselor or psychiatrist to verify whether there is concomitant depression. If she exhibits sleep problems, negative thoughts and death wishes - these could be signs of vomit I’d depression. READ MORE
My daughter has suddenly lost her appetite. Could it be a hormonal issue?
Eating problems such as not feeling hungry and losing appetite could be the start of a depression or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa. Does she exhibit other peculiarities in her eating pattern, is she engaged in intensive exercise routines, is she overly conscious about gaining weight? If she shows any of these behaviors, it may be time to see a psychiatrist. READ MORE
Can insomnia be psychological?
Sleep problems like insomnia in young children are often due to underlying psychological issues such as excessive worrying or fears, nightmares, sadness associated with problems at school or at home. READ MORE
What are the guidelines for recommending psychiatric medication?
Medications to treat depression are available if cognitive behavior therapy is not completely helping you. There are concomitant biochemical changes in the brain in depression which can be the targets for antidepressants. READ MORE
I am feeling very depressed, and have not had success with medication. What can be done to help me?
There are other non- pharmacological interventions for management of depression such as: cognitive behavior therapy to address negative thoughts which are very common in depression; maintaining adequate rest - at least 7 hrs of sleep every night, regular exercise daily or at least three times a week, including omega 3 fatty acid in diet such as fish meals three times a week, nuts - 1/4 cup per day, involvement in activities that are stimulating to the brain, engaging in positive interactions with others. READ MORE
How can I manage my anxiety?
If the worrying is excessive it can interfere in your parenting. It is best to consult with a psychotherapist for you to explore what is behind your fears. If therapy is not enough you may also need a trial of anti- anxiety agents for which you can consult a psychiatrist. READ MORE
Don't have anyone to help me
You may have to access mental health services through your local city mental health clinics which are usually affordable services. You may also look for support groups for parents dealing with problems with their children. READ MORE
Bipolar Medicaton
Bipolar disorder is best treated with mood stabilizers - consult with a psychiatrist in your area. There are also mood disorder clinic which specialize in treating bipolar disorders. In addition to medications, you can also make sure you have regular sleeping patterns, have a nutritional diet rich in omega 3 fatty acid which is good for th brain, adequate exercise and involvement in meaningful activities. It is also important to maintain a daily routine and structure - that is waking up at regular time in the morning and going to bed also at regular hours. READ MORE
My son is failing in school. Should I consult a counselor?
Yes, consulting with a counselor can help you and your son understand the reason behind his academic decline. Explore for the possibility of depression, drug use, anxiety or other mental illness. READ MORE
Can excessive anger be termed as a psychological disorder?
There are many factors or causes of excessive anger. It can be caused by medical disorders like seizure disorders, traumatic brain injury. It can also be secondary to psychological causes like depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or intermittent explosive disorder. And anger can also be classified as behavioral problems as in oppositional disorder, poor impulse control problems, poor anger management as part of other underlying problems as in ADHD and conduct disorder. READ MORE
I saw my daughter stealing money from my bag. Could it be kleptomania?
Kleptomania is a type of impulsive behavior where stealing satisfies a psychological urge, often times accompanied by remorse later. If there is no remorse associated with the stealing behavior then one might consider possibility of conduct disorder. There could also be psychological reasons behind the stealing behavior such as bid for attention or a need to fill something perceived as a loss in her life. Whatever the cause your daughter needs to be evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist. READ MORE
What are the warning signs to identify mental illness?
Yes, there are some general signs and symptoms of mental illness: 1. Difficulty falling asleep 2. Recurrent nightmares 3. Decreased energy and loss of interest in things they used to be interested in 4. Restlessness 5. Anxiety attacks 6. A lot of fears which may or may not have a realistic basis 7. Unusual or bizarre conversations 8. Decreased performance in school or work 9. Thoughts of harming self or others 10. Mood swings 11. Angry outbursts and increased irritability READ MORE
How often is depression treated without anti depressants?
In the case of recurrent episodes of depression, it is advisable to stay on antidepressant medications on a maintenance regimen and maybe even consider a mood stabilizer medication like depakote, lamotrigine, lithium or quetiapine. READ MORE
Why do I feel so agitated before my periods?
You are describing premenstrual mood change. You can take care of yourself by being aware that this mood change is hormonally related which means it is likely to occur rendering you vulnerable to external stressors. It is best to avoid situations that are likely going to upset you or make you angry. During this vulnerable period you should take care of your physical health as well by maintaining good sleep patterns, healthy diet and exercise. You could also learn siome strategies to control your anger or frustrations such as doing Tai Chi, yoga or simple deep breathing exercises. READ MORE
My brother is 39 and single, and I think it's making him depressed. What can we do to help?
You may be observing clinical signs of depression related to midlife issues. You can support him as family by helping him focus on his positive traits and achievements. You can also recommend him for counseling to a competent therapist. READ MORE
Can schizophrenia be treated?
Schizophrenia is a chronic condition which can be treated with medications. We now have very effective medications which can be prescribed by psychiatrists. In addition to medications, one also has to observe healthy habits such as proper diet, good sleeping patterns, exercise, involvement in meaningful activities, etc. READ MORE
Why do I feel gloomy and sad during winters?
Winter can trigger depression in some people - this is called seasonal depression. There ways to manage this such as light therapy, antidepressant use during the winter months, vitamin D supplement and maintaining regularity in sleep and eating patterns to maintain normal circadian rhythm. People who have seasonal depression are negatively impacted by Decreased amount of sunlight during the winter months. It is important to have light exposure - phototherapy to simulate daytime - usually by using special artificial light in the morning and in the early evening. READ MORE
My colleague is undergoing severe stress at work. Can a therapist help him?
Talking to a therapist can definitely help him. Therapy will allow him to discuss his concerns with someone trained in techniques to uncover underlying psychological issues that could be interfering in his ability to cope. The Therapist can also help on working with him on stress reduction techniques as well as learning some coping strategies which he can use at the workplace. While in therapy he can also be assessed and referred to a psychiatrist for medications if necessary. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Clinical Instructor Tulane Medical Center- Department of Psychiatry 1990 - 2010
Professional Memberships
- Louisiana Psychiatric Association
Hobbies / Sports
- Playing classical Piano, Traveling, Crocheting
Areas of research
1. Post-traumatic disorder in children - wrote a clinical case study on a child with PTSD manifesting as disruptive behavior2. Effects of parental alcoholism on children - presented a paper at a clinical conferenceDr. Carmen Mayugba Sugai MD's Practice location
Practice At 4521 Jamestown Ave Suite 2
4521 Jamestown Ave Suite 2 -Baton Rouge, LA 70808Get Direction
Dr. Carmen Mayugba Sugai MD's reviews
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Media Releases
Get to know Psychiatrist Dr. Carmen Mayugba Sugai, who serves the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area and is now retired. Speciality: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Medical School: University of Santo Tomas Education: Dr. Sugai graduated with her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines in 1977, giving her over four decades of experience in her field. Experience: After receiving her medical degree Dr. Sugai relocated to the United States where she completed her psychiatry residency from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Wanting to further her training she completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship from Tulane University. Current Position: Dr. Sugai is currently retired. Psychiatry is a specialty of Medicine that deals with disorders of the mind as manifested by behavioral changes,mood changes, disorders of attention and memory affecting people throughout their lifetime. It is a field that combines knowledge of medical diseases as well as knowledge and understanding of human behavior as manifestations of emotional and psychological dysfunctions. Dr. Sugai worked for many years with the youth who had special needs such as those with autism, developmental disabilities. Depression, victims of abuse, anxiety , bipolar disorders and psychotic disorders. She also worked with adults who had various emotional and psychiatric issues such as anxiety, depression, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic disorder Personal: Dr. Sugai enjoys playing classical piano, traveling and crocheting. She also enjoys traveling.
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