I’m Dr. David Brendel, MD, PhD — a Harvard-trained, board-certified private psychiatrist in Belmont, MA. Most of the conditions below respond well to the right care. Many of my patients come in managing more than one at once, sometimes after years without a diagnosis that actually fit. If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing falls into one of these categories, an evaluation is usually the right first step.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders come in many forms: generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD. They are among the most common conditions I see, and most people dealing with anxiety have been managing on their own for years before asking for help. A lot can be done.
Depression
Depression is more than low mood or sadness. It disrupts sleep, concentration, motivation, and the ability to find pleasure in things that used to matter. It responds well to treatment, often better than patients expect when they first come in.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression alternating with mania or hypomania, shifts in mood and energy that can significantly disrupt work, relationships, and daily life. It is frequently misdiagnosed for years. Getting the diagnosis right is the essential first step.
Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD in adults often looks different from the childhood presentation. Restlessness, difficulty sustaining focus, chronic underperformance, and trouble following through are common. Many adults I see were never diagnosed as children, even though the pattern has been there all along.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder involves significant instability in mood, relationships, and self-image. It is frequently misunderstood and can be difficult to diagnose. Treatment approaches for BPD have advanced considerably, and outcomes for patients who get the right care have genuinely improved.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep problems, including insomnia, disrupted sleep, and hypersomnia, are both symptoms of and contributors to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. When I evaluate sleep disorders, I look at the full psychiatric picture, not just the sleep.
Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and brief psychotic episodes, can be frightening for patients and families alike. Early intervention matters significantly, and the right treatment improves long-term outcomes.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are among the most medically serious psychiatric conditions and almost always develop alongside depression, anxiety, or trauma. My role is the psychiatric piece: accurate diagnosis, medication when indicated, and coordination with therapists and medical teams.
Substance Abuse
Substance use disorders rarely show up alone. Most patients I see dealing with addiction are also managing depression, anxiety, trauma, or ADHD. Treating the substance use alongside what is driving it is what makes recovery last.
Medical & Psychiatric Conditions
Some medical conditions cause or worsen psychiatric symptoms, and some psychiatric conditions have significant medical components. Thyroid disorders, neurological conditions, chronic pain, and medication effects all factor in. Getting both sides of the diagnosis right matters.
Burnout
Burnout is a specific pattern of exhaustion, cynicism toward work, and loss of professional efficacy, and it often goes unrecognized until it has been building for a long time. I work with executives, physicians, and professionals dealing with burnout, frequently alongside depression or anxiety that has developed in parallel.
Financial Stress
Financial distress produces real psychiatric symptoms: anxiety, shame, disrupted sleep, and depression that can become severe. I treat the psychiatric dimensions of financial stress, including the difficulty many people have talking about it honestly with anyone.
Student Success Coaching
For students navigating academic pressures, mental health challenges, or major life transitions, the Leading Minds Student Success Coaching program provides structured support from coaches with experience in both academics and mental health.