expert type icon EXPERT

Peter Sangra

Adolescent Psychiatrist | Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Dr. Peter Sangra practices Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in Santa Teresa, NM. Dr. Sangra 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. Sangra seeks to improve each patients quality of life.
13 years Experience
Peter Sangra
  • Santa Teresa, NM
  • American University of Antigua
  • Accepting new patients

What triggers bipolar disorder?

Great question, Bipolar Depression can be triggered from stress, lack of sleep and time changes and lack of routine and missing medications. So help with any stress that your friend READ MORE
Great question, Bipolar Depression can be triggered from stress, lack of sleep and time changes and lack of routine and missing medications. So help with any stress that your friend has and respect her sleep. Guide her back to her threrapist and doctor and continue to be a good friend. Hope that helps.

What is the best way to treat an eating disorder?

Treating eating disorders typically involves individual therapy for your daughter and Family therapy. Sometimes, medications are used. I use them frequently with the conditions READ MORE
Treating eating disorders typically involves individual therapy for your daughter and Family therapy. Sometimes, medications are used. I use them frequently with the conditions that come along with the eating disorder or to assist with decreasing purging or to increase appetite.
Hope that helps.

Why does my son have trouble focusing?

Lots of reasons: such as low Vitamin D and or ADHD? He needs to be evaluated and then offered the right treatment. Start with talking to his pediatrician and they can guide you. READ MORE
Lots of reasons: such as low Vitamin D and or ADHD? He needs to be evaluated and then offered the right treatment. Start with talking to his pediatrician and they can guide you. Hope that helps.

Is it possible for kids to have OCD?

Yes it is, there is treatment for it, to helps reduce the repetitive thoughts and behaviors. OCD can impact all aspects of her life, so consider getting help. Please see if you READ MORE
Yes it is, there is treatment for it, to helps reduce the repetitive thoughts and behaviors. OCD can impact all aspects of her life, so consider getting help.

Please see if you can get referred to a Child Adolescenct psychiatrist from your pediatrician. Hope that helps.

Why is my 16 year old always sleeping?

Sometimes, as adults it would be nice to get the sleep he does. He is likely in a grow spurt and needs his sleep. Remember we grow when we are sleeping, so help support his grow READ MORE
Sometimes, as adults it would be nice to get the sleep he does. He is likely in a grow spurt and needs his sleep. Remember we grow when we are sleeping, so help support his grow and allow him to sleep. Unless you don’t want him to be tall and strong, then just wake him up.

I recall my parents would wake me up all the Time. Hence, I’m shorter than my brother whom slept all the time, like your son.

Hope that helps.

Can old concussions cause headaches?

Hey...I love hockey. Severe concussions can lay down plaque in the brain almost like scar tissue. So, yes, it can cause headaches, and other symptoms. But there are other things READ MORE
Hey...I love hockey. Severe concussions can lay down plaque in the brain almost like scar tissue. So, yes, it can cause headaches, and other symptoms. But there are other things that can cause it as well. Have you had yourself evaluated for basic issues: hypertension, diabetes, etc.? I would get medical advice if your headaches are not treated by over-the-counter medication.
Hope that helps, I would try to see a neurologist.

Can a 14 year old be prescribed antidepressants?

Yes absolutely, there are three FDA medications approved for depression in children. But when you get to age 14, the doctor can always offer more options than just the there SSRIs. READ MORE
Yes absolutely, there are three FDA medications approved for depression in children. But when you get to age 14, the doctor can always offer more options than just the there SSRIs. Hope that help, good luck with your son.

Why does my daughter get angry when she can't say words?

Very normal because she is at the stage of learning language and her inability to communicate her thoughts can be frustrating and angry. you have a very smart daughter, just be READ MORE
Very normal because she is at the stage of learning language and her inability to communicate her thoughts can be frustrating and angry. you have a very smart daughter, just be patient with her. This stage will end when she starts to elaborate on her language. Hope that helps.

Why does my daughter hit her head when she can't say something?

I think I would want to know, what self harm? This is a very young age for self harm, I assume biting oneself. There are medical disorders associated with self harm, please get READ MORE
I think I would want to know, what self harm? This is a very young age for self harm, I assume biting oneself. There are medical disorders associated with self harm, please get her evaluated to make sure that she has no medical disorder or inherited conditions that can cause such.
Take Care.

Can you self diagnose bipolar disorder in teenagers?

I would be careful in self diagnoses anything, I have met a lot of patients that were self diagnosed incorrectly, be careful and let the professional diagnoses and just be the READ MORE
I would be careful in self diagnoses anything, I have met a lot of patients that were self diagnosed incorrectly, be careful and let the professional diagnoses and just be the parent that guides them to help.
Hope that helps.

Does therapy work for schizophrenia?

Great question, thank you for your concern about your cousin. Family is so important, therapy is very important for someone with schizophrenia, typically a group support group READ MORE
Great question, thank you for your concern about your cousin. Family is so important, therapy is very important for someone with schizophrenia, typically a group support group or a social skills group would be effective, try there first.

Can psychodynamic therapy help anxiety?

Yes of course. Try it and if you don’t like it then stop.

Why does my child feel depressed about returning to school after lockdown?

Wow, I get this sometimes in my practice. Typically, kids are excited about school, but there are many reasons for kids to not want to go. There are different social pressures, READ MORE
Wow, I get this sometimes in my practice. Typically, kids are excited about school, but there are many reasons for kids to not want to go. There are different social pressures, and kids comparing each other, and kids bullying kids. So, talk to your child, and monitor his/her depression and if serious get professional help such as counseling and psychiatry help.

What are the behavioral affects of the lockdown on children?

It depends on how old the children are. Remember that children play with other kids is like our “Productivity.” So without them playing and interacting with other kids, it reduces READ MORE
It depends on how old the children are. Remember that children play with other kids is like our “Productivity.” So without them playing and interacting with other kids, it reduces social learning and thier productivity, the full affect Of the Lock down is yet to be determine. See if you can plan Safe play days and get them outside in the back yard or something. Hope that helps.

Are headaches a neurological disorder?

Typically, it is not associated with “growing pains.” This is a neurological disorder. If it continues to last, please seek medical advice.

How to help a child having trouble sleeping because of all the changes?

I love your question. Okay, keep a steady routine, same bedtime, no sugar or chocolate before bed, and no TV within 30 minutes to one hour of bedtime. Use this time to talk and READ MORE
I love your question. Okay, keep a steady routine, same bedtime, no sugar or chocolate before bed, and no TV within 30 minutes to one hour of bedtime. Use this time to talk and do nighttime routines, brushing teeth, maybe start reading a book together, pray with him, and or sing a song. I use this in our practice, and refer to it as sleep hygiene. Most kids can sense anxiety in the parent and stress. Limit the late night new, try to “re-normalize your family life as much as possible.”
Hope this helps.

What causes sleep paralysis?

It is a Mid Brain structure malfunction, but can be treated with medications.

What types of disorders are best treated by CBT?

Depression
Anxiety
Social Anxiety

Is it bad to take antidepressants for many years?

No it’s not bad, but you should be trialed to have it lowered at some point with your medical professional. But it also depends on the severity of depression and suicidiality, READ MORE
No it’s not bad, but you should be trialed to have it lowered at some point with your medical professional. But it also depends on the severity of depression and suicidiality, if any. But talk to your medical provider.

How does borderline personality disorder present in children?

Personalities are defined as Adults, thus age 18 and over. So, Borderline Personality Disorder does not exist in children, only possible traits, but I would argue that your son READ MORE
Personalities are defined as Adults, thus age 18 and over. So, Borderline Personality Disorder does not exist in children, only possible traits, but I would argue that your son needs to be evaluated and severe mood swings and tantrums can be other diagnosis. I would recommend for him to get evaluated.
Hope that helps.