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Dr. Nicholas Stratas

Psychiatry
Raleigh, North Carolina, NC
63 years experience male

About

Bio

Limited practice of psychiatry specializing in thriving - individual, conjoint, family and group evaluation and psychotherapy, hypnosis, hypnotherapy; behavior therapy, psychosomatic therapy; goal/growth oriented,; forensic psychiatry; consultation and training, physician specialist, limited hours. Thriving Unlimited - Exploring and expanding personal and interpersonal experiences of thriving - private consultation – organization/executive development; human systems development, personal growth- individual, couples, families and organizations. Duke University Medical Center - Associate Consulting Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of North Carolina - Adjunct Professor Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Honorary staff; Wake Medical Center, UNC Rex Hospital, Holly Hi

Specialties
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.

Psychiatry

Clinical Psychology

Holistic Medicine

Licenses

United States: North Carolina

Languages spoken

English, Greek

Doctor Q&A

210 Answers
123 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Blood flow: During exercise increased blood flows to the muscles being used and decreased flow to those which are not.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Increase activity: Activity is most important when trying to lose weight. Increase your activity to the next level e.g. you exercise regularly, so add walking briskly 20... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Depends on how much: a glass of wine or a cocktail may indeed help, however the liver only detoxifies an ounce an hour. It is in your body to clean out body toxins. While ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
See your MD: Changes like this are common in the menopausal period so consultation with your md or gynecologist is in order.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Unlikely : More likely to be a depressant in the long run - on the short run may give relief and so look like an antidepressant
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
2-3 days: If the side effect is drowsiness this should pass - if not then it may need to be changed - if another side effect speak with your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Not advised: These are drugs which work in a similar way - if youe want to experiment do it with your doc's supervision.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Myth: It's a myth that - "only the bottom figure is important to assessing for hypertension.".
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Unusual: Unusual for the benefits to diminish in a few days - however I have seen patients who require as much as 90 mgm/day - if effects continue to diminish ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
No likely worry but: There is no likely worry about coming off mirtazapine. Preferable to do it with the collaboration of the physician who prescribed. You do not say what... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Skip this dose: Skip this dose and get a system to remind you eg put your pills next to your morning toothbrushing place or at your breakfast seat. Recommend against ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Possible - not usual: This can occur in some patients because of the mode of action on the arousal neurotransmitter noradrenaline. Since it is decreasing your body is likel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 58-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Similar: Lexapro (escitalopram) and Remeron work similarly. Remeron's advantage is it is used at night and improves sleep very rapidly so if there is a sleep p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Belly breathing!: Relaxing breathing is with the belly - breath in/belly out - breath out/belly in; like you do when on the bike. Breathing with the chest causes poor o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Allergies possible: Some are allergic- rash, etc- while i know of no documentation anything is possible!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
uncommon but possibl: Check with your prescribing doctor but very unlikely - possible reactive stomach problems.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Serious enough: You should let your prescribing doctor know sooner than later.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Many possibilities: Blood pressure or allergy medication; something related to skin condition; ?Prozac (fluoxetine) dosage - consult with your prescriber to ascertain if ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Vigorous exercise : Vigorous exercise minimum 30 to 45 minutes; reduce salt in diet; stop caffeinated drinks; make sure vitamin d levels are normal; st. John's wort.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Growth & maintenance: anything which provide nourishment essential for growth and maintenance of life. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are large quantity building blocks f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Both work well BUT: Atarax is relatively safe (altho as with all drugs some sideeffects possible). Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine which class of drugs are potenti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Can be: Citalopram & omeprzole can increase the blood levels of citalopram causing heart rhythm problems. Tramadol & seroquel (quetiapine) have been known t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
It's his problem: There is more going on with him which a therapist may be able to help, eg early growth negative input about sex, coexisting depression, etc. - he may ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Perhaps, but...: Serotonin syndrome can be a serious problem, including drowsiness, confusion, extreme changes in blood pressure problems, even seizures and heart issu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Anythin's possible: Unlikely but everyone is unique - if you are taking both and are having problems consult your doctor!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Often enough!: No matter whether it is common or not! serious problems can occur when taking higher doses and taking lithium over a longer period of time! need to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 57-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Meds + cbt: I do not see mirtazapine, cymbalta, (duloxetine) and others on the list. In addition mood stabilizers may work such as lamotrigine, lithium. Hopefully... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
What else?: Appetite, energy down, need to review other signs + symptoms eg concentration, pleasure level, etc = depression can be a cause - see an md for evaluat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Not unusual but: Still having the problems you are having is not rare BUT if they continue return to your doctor for follow up in the meantime no intercourse for at le... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Yes: This is rare however it is important that you need to share this with the doctor who prescribed it. Originally used for epilepsy - now also other synd... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Less food, exercise: the things which are part of any plan are controlled food intake and regular physical exercise - discuss with your physician
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Many possibilities: Other causes include costochondritis and other musculoskeletal issues. Get a hands on physical exam.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Worth while: It is definitely worth while trying the lower dose before stoping and changing the drug.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Yes indeed: Adhd can be helped. There are psychologists trained to provide a type of therapy which helps. As well there are psychiatrists who are trained to provi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Both the same: Anxiety is anxiety whether we can identify a stressor or not. Anxiety is normal and part of living and moving and is the same as speed in a car once t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Very low likelihood: Antidepressants are the drug treatment for OCD - especially effective are clomipramine and fluvoxamine- start with a low dose - speak with your doc
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Yes: If the volume is significantly lower then your BMs will reflect thet decrease6
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Yes!: Stress accompanies most physical symptoms, whether it is causal or not is still being clarified, many years after Dr Hans Selye postulated what he cal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Please clarify: Meineres anxiety - please clarify - do you have Menieres syndrome you think is causing anxiety/agoraphobia/ptsd?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Speak to therapist: Get therapist to explore this with you - help to get to where you can share it with mother and/or help to keep it private and techniques to keep an ev... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Circulation: If this passes, your actions likely increase circulation to your head
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Thyroid lump likely: 1/3 of folks with calcium deposits have thyroid lumps which may be benign or malignant. Important you see your doctor or an endocrinologist who will l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 66-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Every other d Prozac: Every other day Prozac could be ok. Consult w your doctor. Prozac has a long life so while every other day may create uneven blood levels if 20 is doi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Unlikely: Cymbalta (duloxetine) and ativan pm ordinarily ease anxiety, You need to ask your prescribing doctor about this
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Unusual but possible: If the Effexor (venlafaxine) was continued and the aching went away this is possible - if you discontinued the Effexor (venlafaxine) last time in orde... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Agree and more: I agree also - stay connected to yourself and your gut (your "God"). We are each created equal and unique. Live in the present. Move forward with you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Possible: Very rare but I have seen patients where this has happened - get a consult with aneurologist
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Often: These are two antidepressants increasing availability of differing chemical messengers in the brain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
Not necessarily: This is a small dose and because klonopin (clonazepam) is a very long acting benzodiazepine it will be metabolized down very slowly so it likely will ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Nicholas Stratas
Psychiatry 63 years experience
ECG?: If you have had an electrocardiogram (ECG) and it is normal then this is likely anxiety. If you have not had one then this is advisable for starters -... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

4
Recommendations
278
Thank you notes
Jan 26, 2015
Dr. Stratas has signicantly influenced for the better the treatment of mental illness in NC and beyond. All of us who practice psychiatry in NC owe Dr. Stratus a great debt. Thank you, Dr. Stratas!
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Stratas is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Stratas is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks for the response but i realize bzds CAN be addicting but anything can, even clonidine or robitussin I don't abuse them never have this regimen as always worked for me. Ive nvr had wd frm bzds.
HealthTap member
what i meant was,(tulp).it stands 4 transurethral,laser,procedure..it's the same procedure as classic (turp), except done with a laser..it was done in 2015 btw..thank you anyway 4 the advice.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Agreed. She's had exacerbations of asthmatic bronchitis because of it, but only she can make the decision to stop smoking.

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

University of Toronto, CANADA
Graduated 1957MD

Residency

Thriving Unlimited

Awards

, Life Fellow: American Public Health Association, Life Fellow: American Society of Clinical HypnosiFellow: American College of Forensic Psychiatry, Fellow: The American Orthopsychiatric Association, Fellow: American Academy of Pain Management, Diplomate: International Academy of Behavioral Medicine, Counseling and Psychotherapy Life Fellow: Pan American Medical Association, Approved Consultant: American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Life Member: American Medical Association, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine Society, 1956-1957, Governor Dan K. Moore, North Carolina, 1968, Governor Robert W. Scott, North Carolina, 1970, American Psychiatric Association, 1970, Tarheel of the Week, The News and Observer, Raleigh, NC, 1973, Who’s Who in America Marquis, 1976-Present, Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care, Marquis, 1977-Present, Who’s Who in the Biobehavioral Sciences, Marquis, 1982-Present, Governor James B. Hunt, North Carolina, 1984, Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, Marquis, 1994-Present, Who’s Who in the World, Marquis, 1995-Present, Who’s Who in America, Marquis, 1995-Present, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. 2006- present, Top Doctors in America, Center for Studies, Washington, DC, 2000-present, America’s Top Psychiatrists, Consumers’ Research Council of America, Washington, DC, 2003-present, 2005 Individual Healthcare Professional Award Winner, NC Coalition for Persons Disabled by Mental Illness, International Professional of the Year 2006, International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England
Top Psychiatrist , First Place, North Carolina - Winter
2013
Top Psychiatrist , Third Place, North Carolina - Summer
2013

Affiliations

Wake County, North Carolina, and American Medical Associations, Life North Carolina and American Psychiatric Associations, Distinguished Life Fellow North Carolina and American Public Health Associations, Life Fellow, Emeritus Member Virginia, North Carolina, and American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Fellow, Approved Consultant) International Society of Hypnosis, Royal Society of Health (Emeritus Fellow) Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine (Life Fellow) Pan American Medical Association (Diplomate, Life Member) Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (Retired) American Association for the Advancement of Science (Retired) Canadian Psychiatric Association (Retired) Society for General Systems Research (Retired) Alcoholism Professionals of North Carolina (Retired) American Association of Psychiatric Administrator (Retired) American Association of Behavioral Therapists (Retired) North Carolina and American Biofeedback Society (Diplomate – Retired) American Academy of Behavioral Medicine (Diplomate – Retired) American Orthopsychiatric Association (Fellow – retired) American College of Forensic Psychiatry (Fellow) Society for Professional Well-Being (Retired) American Academy of Pain Management (Fellow) American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Hellenic American Psychiatric Association The Academy of Organizational and Occupational Psychiatry (Retired)
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