Dr. Ruchira S. Densert MD

Psychiatrist | Psychiatry

4510 Executive Dr Suite 115 San Diego California, 92121 Show map

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About

Ruchira S. Densert, MD, is a leading board certified psychiatrist currently serving patients at her private practice in San Diego, California, and at San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital Emergency Room. Dr. Densert brings over 20 years of experience, knowledge, and skills and has expanded her traditional psychiatric practice to include a more integrative and holistic approach. After earning her medical degree in 1997 from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Dr. Densert completed her internship and residency at The National Capital Consortium. She then served as a Navy Psychiatrist taking care of service members and their families and retired after 22 years of honorable service, including two combat deployments. Throughout her years of practicing medicine, Dr. Densert has accrued extensive expertise in treating adults with all spectrum of mood and anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorders, acute and chronic substance use disorders and thought disorders. Her own professional and personal journey has helped her to recognize the limitations that exist in a conventional psychiatric model and need for including a more comprehensive and evidenced based holistic and integrative practices. With incorporation of personalized medicine and motivational psychiatric approaches, she prioritizes underlying causes unique to each individual with holistic and integrative approach with secondary focus on symptomatic relief of symptoms with traditional psychiatric treatment. She finds this approach to provide more effective and sustained treatment outcome. Dr. Densert maintains a professional membership with the American Psychiatric Association, the San Diego Psychiatric Society, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin in order to stay up to date on all medical advancements in her field.

Education and Training

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences MD 1997

Board Certification

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Provider Details

FemaleEnglish

Dr. Ruchira S. Densert MD

Dr. Ruchira S. Densert MD's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Vivid daydreams
Daydreaming may occur to cope with various life stressors, anxiety, boredom, inattentiveness etc... I recommend keeping a journal of what induces you to daydream and what type of comfort it provides for you. If it persists and you are spending a lot of time daydreaming and not getting your work done or avoiding social interactions then I recommend seeking help via a therapist. READ MORE
Is memory loss a side effect of schizoaffective disorder treatment?
Your father's memory loss may be due to various factors, one of which could be the medications that are used to treat his schizoaffective disorder. I recommend requesting your father to give you consent to contact his psychiatrist or primary care provider to discuss exactly what is going on and request additional evaluation of his memory loss, including a neurological consultation. READ MORE
Is depression hereditary?
Having family members with depression predisposes you and may increase your risk of having depression but you can take preventive measures to help reduce your risk such as stress management, ensuring 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, regular exercising (yoga, walking, swimming etc...), healthy nutrition intake, meditation, seeking support from friends and family are a few things. You can also learn more about depression and keep a close watch and seek early interventions. There is no way to predict that you will have depression when you hit certain age but prevention will help to reduce the risk. READ MORE
Are there any exercises for the brain?
Any form of meditation, deep breathing and relaxation techniques will help ease some of the stress and tension you are describing. I recommend downloading one of the free apps for mindfulness meditation such as headspace, 10% happier (I don't get any commission from these companies) or any one of the other forms that appeal to you. I also recommend yoga and exercise and sun exposure early in the morning. Improving your sleep will also help. READ MORE
Can OCD be cured?
OCD can't be "cured" but can be treated with therapy and medications, combination of both is most effective. I recommend starting with a psychiatrist who can do a full assessment as well as lab work and then add a therapist. READ MORE
Can a psychiatrist help with my memory loss?
Memory loss can be due to different causes. I recommend starting with your primary care provider for a full physical and baseline labs and request neurological consultation for additional in-depth evaluation. READ MORE
Is bipolar disorder hereditary?
If a family member has a bipolar disorder, it predisposes you to a higher risk of having bipolar disorder. I recommend seeing a mental health provider to further discuss your mood swings and consult on ways to reduce your risk such as (improving your sleep, avoiding all substances and alcohol, stress management etc...) READ MORE
Can ADHD ever be cured with treatment?
ADHD can't be "cured" fully. Incorporation of other treatment modalities such as behavioral techniques, coping skills, neurofeedback, biofeedback, meditation, exercise etc.. help to reduce the intensity of the symptoms which allow some to require less or no medications. The response also depends on the severity of ADHD symptoms. READ MORE
Is negative thinking a disease?
If you are typically an optimistic or positive thinker and recently have noted changes with your thinking towards negative thoughts, then I recommend getting an evaluation to rule out depression. You can start with your primary care provider or see a therapist to assess your current life circumstances, lifestyle, etc., and then seek appropriate treatment. Negative thinking is one of the signs of depression and if left unaddressed can progress to depression and worsen. If you are having thoughts of suicide/self harm, harm towards others with your negative thinking, I recommend going to your nearest emergency room immediately for help. READ MORE
Is premenstrual syndrome normal?
Premenstrual syndrome occurs due to multiple factors and may be due to your hormone changes, lifestyle such as exercise, diet, and stress as well as neurotransmitter changes associated with hormone changes. If the symptoms are significantly affecting you, I recommend seeking help with your GYN and a psychiatrist. READ MORE
Why do I have stabbing pain in my lower abdomen?
I recommend contacting your primary care provider for further evaluation. You want to get evaluated for various things including infection and trauma. READ MORE
I'm having some severe chest pain with anxiety. Is this dangerous? What could it be?
I recommend having your sharp chest pain be evaluated (if you haven't had it checked out yet) by your primary care provider with at least a physical exam and EKG first to ensure that you don't have any underlying cardio-vascular problems that require immediate medical attention. Once it is determined that this is most likely due to panic attacks then the best way to prevent it is managing your stress level, seeking support from friends and family, exercising/yoga/meditation. If they persists, please seek psychiatric consultation and treatment. READ MORE
At night, thinking prevents me from sleeping. Can I do anything about it?
It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed and your mind has difficulty quieting down. I recommend following a good sleep hygiene as well as some form of quieting activities prior to bedtime to start quieting down your thoughts. This could be warm shower, bath with Epsom magnesium salt, listening to relaxing music, meditation, or light reading. You can also try magnesium supplement or melatonin. If the sleep problems persists, please seek a consultation via your primary care provider or psychiatrist. I do not recommend long term use of sleep medications to manage this. READ MORE
Privacy and confidentiality with caregivers
You will be able to request information about this patient's psychiatric treatment plan by having the patient provide you with a written release of information. The psychiatrist will also request release of information from the patient so you will be able to communicate and collaborate with each other. This would be the most comprehensive way to treat this patient. Please let me know if you have additional questions. READ MORE
My son has Asperger's Syndrome. How is it treated?
Yes, the treatment varies from person to person and their level of functioning. I recommend having a family meeting with all the providers to discuss your son's strengths and areas of focus and set up a treatment plan that best fits your son's needs. READ MORE
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Zoloft?
Hello, It is recommended to avoid alcohol use with psychotropic medications due to alcohol being a CNS depressant and drug-alcohol interactions. Each individual must weigh risks versus benefits of combining alcohol with medications. It is recommended that Zoloft not be abruptly discontinued due to serotonin withdrawal syndrome. Please consult with the medical provider who is prescribing you Zoloft for additional questions related to alcohol use while taking medications. Thank you for your question. Kind regards, Ruchira Densert, MD READ MORE
I think I may be depressed. What do I do?
Hello, If your depressive symptoms are present for 6 months then it is most likely a clinical depression rather than associated with your retirement or other life circumstances. You can start with either your primary care provider for an initial screening and assessment or seek therapy to address psychosocial stressors or conusult with a psychiatrist for a full evaluation and treatment. READ MORE
Sudden mental fatigue--what can it be?
Hello, there are many underlying causes that impact emotional and mental effort, including chronic or acute stress, anxiety or mood disorder, sleep disturbances or other mental health or physical conditions. You can start with your primary care provider or seek a mental health consultation, if it starts to impact your work performance or persists or worsens. Thank you for consulting. READ MORE