Sleep Disorders Specialist

David Salvage, M.D., FAPM

Forensic and Addiction Psychiatrist located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY & Financial District, New York, NY

If you find yourself awake at 3am or falling asleep at 3pm, the odds are you’re suffering from a sleep disorder. Between 50 and 70 million people in the United States have a sleep disorder, which ranges from insomnia to excessive daytime sleepiness. David Salvage, MD, FAPM, specializes in sleep disorders and finds solutions for his patients in Brooklyn (Park Slope) and the Financial District, New York, allowing them to get the sleep they need. Call to schedule an appointment or book online today.

Sleep Disorders Q & A

Why is sleep necessary?

A good night’s rest is more than just a luxury; it’s a biological necessity that helps keep your body functioning at its best, both physically and mentally. While you sleep, your conscious brain shuts off, which allows your body to rebuild and regenerate itself quietly. Your heart rate slows, your hormones regulate, and your cells go to work to repair what’s needed.

Your brain also uses this time to sort through everything you took in during the day and categorizes the information into memories.

What are the most common sleep disorders?

Several types of disorders can affect your sleep, including:

Insomnia, which is trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep
Sleep apnea, which causes you to stop breathing while you sleep
Narcolepsy, which is uncontrollable and excessive sleep
Sleep deprivation, which builds after not getting enough adequate sleep
Night terrors, which is characterized by screaming out or thrashing in fear during sleep
Restless legs syndrome, where your legs feel twitchy and itchy, preventing you from sleeping

Sleep disorders can be very frustrating to deal with and often get worse over time unless you seek help.

What causes sleep disorders?

This is a difficult question to answer and depends upon the nature of the sleep disorder. In cases of sleep apnea, there’s usually a physical problem that can be treated. However, many of the other sleep disorders are symptoms of another, broader mental disorder, such as depression or anxiety.

In fact, insomnia is one of the chief complaints among those who suffer from depression and anxiety.

If your sleep disorder isn’t tied to a physical problem, or its source isn’t identifiable (such as a new mother who’s sleep deprived), you should explore other avenues with Dr. Salvage to see if there isn’t a mental component that’s preventing you from sleeping normally.

How are sleep disorders treated?

Here again, there’s no blanket answer to this question as it depends upon your unique situation. Rest assured, Dr. Salvage listens to your concerns, reviews your medical history, and evaluates your symptoms to come up with a treatment plan custom-tailored to your problem and your goals. This plan typically includes ongoing psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic solutions for underlying problems.

To get yourself on the road to better sleep, call David Salvage, MD, FAPM, or use the online scheduling tool to request a consultation.

What we offer