Dr. Panchajanya 'Panch' Paul, MD, ABIHM, ABPN, FAPA, is triple board-certified- Child, Adult, and Holistic Psychiatrist- and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He has authored several articles, research, and two books - Stress Rescue and Sleep Coaching- available on Amazon. Call 678-851-3512 or email info@hpsych.org for appointments.
Top Ranked Psychiatry Practice in Atlanta for 2026
Recognized as No.1 Ranked Psychiarist in Atlanta for 2026 by Buissness Rates
Are you seeking support for mental health or psychiatric care? My name is Dr. Panchajanya Paul, and I welcome you to Atlanta Evening Psychiatry. I am triple board-certified in child psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and holistic medicine.
I completed my fellowship training at Emory University and was recognized as a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. With more than 15 years of experience, I have treated over 10,000 patients with conditions including ADHD, major depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, sleep disorders, bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, addiction, and trauma. I am also the author of two books: Sleep Coaching and Stress Rescue.
We are proud to be one of Georgia’s highest-reviewed psychiatry practices, with more than 500 five-star reviews on Google, Zocdoc, and WebMD. In 2026, our practice was ranked the No.1 psychiatric practice in Atlanta by BusinessRates.com. Patients value our compassionate, individualized care and holistic approach, which integrates thorough medication management with supplements, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
At Atlanta Evening Psychiatry, we provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and medication management for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, treating a wide range of mental health conditions. We are currently accepting new patients and can often schedule same-day or next-day appointments. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and offer both in-person and telehealth visits. Evening and Saturday online appointments are also available for your convenience.
To schedule an appointment, please call or text 678-851-3512 or email info@hpsych.org.
Are you seeking support for mental health concerns? My name is Dr. Panch Paul, and I welcome you to Atlanta Evening Psychiatry. I am a double-board-certified child and adult psychiatrist trained at Emory University and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. With over 15 years of experience, I have authored two books, Sleep Coaching and Stress Rescue.
We provide comprehensive psychiatric medication management for children, adolescents, and adults, addressing conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Psychosis, Trauma, and Addiction. Our personalized treatment plans include medication, supplements, problem-solving therapy, exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
We are proud to be one of Georgia’s top-rated psychiatry practices, with over 500 five-star reviews on Google, Zocdoc, and WebMD. Patients appreciate our compassionate, individualized care. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and offer both in-person and telehealth appointments. Evening and Saturday video appointments are available to accommodate your schedule.
We are currently accepting new patients and can often provide same-day or next-day appointments. To schedule, please call or text 678-851-3512 or email info@hpsych.org.
Many of us struggle with sleep. The problems can be many. Some struggle to fall asleep at night, some to maintain sleep throughout the night, and some from too early waking. Whatever the nature of the problem, sleep deprivation weakens the mind and body, and makes us vulnerable to various mental and physical diseases. Here is a list of ten ways to get good sleep every night.
1. Schedule Sleep: Maintain a consistent bed-time routine. Go to bed at the same time every night. Try to keep it the same on weekends in order to keep body's clock tuned.
2. Exercise daily: Try to get some exercise during the day; as little as 20 minutes can help. Aerobics, lifting weights, power yoga, walking- any form of physical exertion will help. However, avoid heavy exercise 2 hours before sleep as the increased arousal from exercise might make sleep difficult.
3. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine before bedtime. Alcohol helps to sleep in short term but robs the brain of deep restorative sleep in long term. Caffeine is present in tea, coffee, and soda. Nicotine is present in cigarettes. Both caffeine and nicotine are brain stimulants, which makes one more alert and awake, while making it difficult to fall asleep.
4. Relax before Sleep: Do something relaxing before bedtime like taking a warm bath, reading, or listening to music. Mindfulness exercises can also help.
5. Light Exposure during day. Try to get exposure to sunlight or any full spectrum bright light in the morning. Exposure to light during the day and darkness before bed, will entrain your circadian rhythm to the daily light-dark cycle. This will help you stay alert and active during day, while being tired and sleepy at night.
6. Don't eat before going to bed. Have your dinner at least two hours before sleep time. Avoid food just before bedtime, and never have your food on bed. A heavy meal before bedtime is difficult to digest and will also impair sleep. Also avoid too spicy or sugary food before bed. Food rich in tryptophan like nuts, cheese, oats, beans, lentils, eggs, fish, chicken, turkey can boost sleep.
7. Don't check emails or work on your laptop just before bed. The mind needs to relax and any activation will impair sleep. Avoid TV, Computer, or bright light before sleep as they inhibit the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.
8. Keep your bedroom quiet, cold, and dark at night. Adjust your thermostat to a lower temperature between 60 to 67 degrees. Use thick curtains to block light and white noise to block sound.
9. The bed should be used for sleep, sex, and some light-reading. Avoiding other activates at bed will help the body associate the bed with sleep.
10. Write your worries before sleep. Many people bring their worries to bed and can't stop thinking about them. Keep a journal at bedside to write down troubling thoughts before going to bed. This will stop the repeated cycle of worrying and enable sleep.
Sleep is vital to life. Seek professional help if you struggle with sleep chronically and experience daytime fatigue. Many of the sleep problems can be resolved with the help of medications and therapy like Cognitive behavioral therapy for Insomnia. In the end, don't neglect any sleep problems, and make every effort to get good sleep for your health and wellbeing.
Here is the Link to the You tube video
I have also written a book on Sleep available online where I discuss all the natural ways to falls asleep using body's healing mechanisms and the with use of supplements.
I am a child psychiatrist,
and I work in a hospital and also see patients in my private clinic. During
this quarantine period, I have seen many children teenagers whose anxiety,
depression, and stress have become worse. Those who already have a psychiatric
condition are struggling even more. Today I am going to discuss ten things that
parents can do at this time to help their children:
1.Communicate: Children and teens may feel more isolated during
this time. Make sure that you communicate with your children at their level.
Encourage them to share their feelings. Listen to them; do not judge. Unless
they tell you, you cannot help them.
2.Assure: Children are young, and for many, this may be the
first crisis they have seen. But as adults, we know that crises and challenges
are part of life. Humanity has survived wars, famines, pestilence, earthquakes,
fires, and many disasters. Every month there is a crisis somewhere in the
world. The Corona Virus is exceptional as the whole world is in a crisis mode
at the same time. Assure your child that this temporary. Everything will be
fine soon. It is just a matter of time before the viral spread slows down as the
population gains herd immunity, or we discover a medicinal cure, or we get a
vaccine to prevent the disease.
3.Structure: Children thrive on routine and regularity. Since
schools are closed, the daily routine and the rhythm of life is disrupted. You
can set a schedule for your child. Try to keep the schedule as close to normal
as possible. Write on a paper suggested time for eating, studying, playing,
exercise, and sleep. Be a role model for them. You follow a disciplined life
and stick to a routine. You can influence them more by what you do than what
you say.
4.Ask: if you feel your child is getting more depressed,
ignoring food, sleep, not talking anxious panic. If you notice any
self-destructive behavior like cutting, it very seriously. Do not feel shy
about taboo topics. If you think your child is depressed and stressed out- ask
if they are feeling suicidal. It is essential as every year, thousands of
children commit suicide, which could have been prevented with timely
intervention.
5.Healthy Diet- The best way to prevent disease is to follow a
healthy lifestyle, which includes nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Have a
balanced diet with protein, fats, carbohydrates, and plenty of vegetables and
fruits for all essential nutrients. Limit sugar and other processed food as
they reduce the body's immunity and make behavioral problems worse.
6.Exercise &
Outdoor time: Encourage children to
do exercise at home. Try to make it fun and enjoyable, and even better, the
entire family can do together. Also, make sure to have some outdoor time.
Staying all day indoors is difficult for children, it is bad for their eyes,
and increases stress levels. If you have a patio, balcony, terrace, backyard-
make sure to spend enough time there as natural light, and fresh air is an
excellent stress buster and boosts immunity.
7.Regular Sleep
Time: Many teenagers, if given a
choice, prefer to stay awake till the middle of the night or early
morning,and get up late in the morning.
During regular school hours, they have to get up early to catch the school bus.
But now, as they do online school, the sleep cycle can quickly get out of hand.
I have seen teens staying awake all night and sleeping during the day.
Irregular sleep hours result in both poor quality and quantity of sleep. Sleeping
at regular hours is even more critical at this time. Sleep boosts the natural
killer cells in the body, which helps to fight the virus. Make sure that
children go to bed at regular hours. All psychiatric problems like depression,
mania, and psychosis get worse due to lack of sleep.
8.Limit Social
media – Make sure children do not
spend too much time on social media. There is a lot of negative news in the
media. On top of that, there are many predators out there, and children have to
be protected from them. I have seen many teenage girls getting into a relationship
with adults online, and send them compromising pictures, and get into other
troubles.
9.Avoid
Isolation: Since all are staying at
home, use this time to do family activates. Make sure to spend some time during
the day when the entire family does things together, like doing a joint
project. Even mundane house activities like cooking, cleaning, gardening can
become excellent family bonding activity if done together.
10.Seek Help: If you feel any
concern about the safety of your child, do not wait, seek help. You can contact
your family doctor, therapist, or a psychiatrist, or call 911 immediately. Most
hospitals have a crisis hotline, and you can call them for a free assessment.
Remember, you know your child more than anyone else, and you are their best
caregiver, protector, and advocate.
Many of my patients are asking what they
should in this time to protect themselves against the virus. Today, I am going
to talk about all the food that will boost our immunity and help protect
against the coronavirus. Out of 100 people getting exposed to coronavirus, 75
people will not have any problems. Food is our best way to build immunity
against the viral infection, bacterial infection, and protect against all other
pathogens. Today, I am going to talk about eight
kinds of food that will boost our immunity. As a doctor going to work every
day, coming in contact with a lot of patients, staff, and multiple people, I am
trying to incorporate them into my diet regularly. Fortunately, for the last
four months, I have been able to remain healthy and serve all my patients. So, without further ado, let’s start-
1. Vitamin C: The most important food
at this time is vitamin C. Linus Pauling, a two times Nobel laureate postulated
that a high dose of vitamin C could protect against the common cold and other
infections. Vitamin C is present in all
raw natural whole foods. Cooking destroys vitamin C.Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges,
grapefruits, berries, limes are rich in vitamin C. At this time, it may also be
an excellent option to take vitamin supplements for extra precaution.
2. Probiotics: Our body harbors
billions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which exists in a symbiotic
relationship with the human genes. As there are bacteria and viruses outside, a
higher number of germs and bacteria live inside our bodies. These so-called
good bacteria live inside us as long as we are alive and help in various body
processes. Good sources of probiotics are yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles,
kombucha, and any fermented food. You can also take over the counter probiotics
to replenish your gut bacteria, especially if you have recently taken a course
of antibiotics. Besides, consuming food rich in fiber will also boost gut
bacteria. Good sources of dietary fiber are apples, broccoli, carrots, beans,
pulses, plantains, and sprouts. 3. Soups and Stocks: During this time,
try to consume more vegetable soup, chicken soup, broth, and stocks. The broth
is a valuable drink at this time. When we simmer the bones for a long time and
prepare a stew, many nutrients otherwise not available in the regular diet
becomes accessible. The hyaluronic acid and collagen present in the broth help
fight against the germs. Soups containing vegetables are powerhouses of
vitamins and minerals. For vegetarians, a healthy alternative is a curry made
with turmeric, ginger, garlic, onion, yogurt, and other herbs.
4. Cod Liver Oil: It is rich in vitamin A, D, E, K, and Omega 3 fatty acids.
These boost immunity and help the body fight infections. Cod liver oil has been
consumed for thousands of years in many cultures. Other alternatives are krill
oil, skate liver oil, and salmon oil. As there is a concern of mercury in the
fish oil, make sure to try reputable brands. I use fermented cod liver oil from
the green pastures company.
5. Saturated Fat: Increase your
consumption of fat at this time. Taking
food rich in saturated fat will boost up the levels of fat-soluble vitamins and
help your body fight infections. Make sure to take good quality fat, which are avocados,
palm oil, organic grass-fed meat, egg, and dairy. 6. Honey & Bee Pollen: Honey is rich in
antioxidants and nutrients, which help in immunity. Local raw honey is
especially crucial as it can boost protection against the local germs in your
area. Try to have one teaspoon of honey every day, either in tea or warm water.
Honey has been used since biblical times as a healing remedy. The world health
organization, as well as the British and Canadian health bodies, have
recommended the use of honey to treat cold and cough for young children.
7. Onion & Garlic: Onion and
garlic belong to the family Allium. Many traditional medicines employ garlic and
onion to kill germs. They generate heat in the body, which is used to kill
germs. They boost immunity against germs and toxins, and also lower blood pressure, and blood cholesterol.
8. Vegetables: Vegetables and plant-based products
are an excellent source of antioxidants. They contain phytochemicals that help
the body fight against infection and carcinogens. Try to have as many
vegetables as you can in your diet. Try to choose vegetables from different
colors. Green vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, and red vegetables like
beet, carrot, and tomatoes are excellent sources of phytochemicals they are
rich in vitamin B and vitamin C also. Try not to overcook the vegetables as
many nutrients are destroyed during the cooking process.
In summary, following a healthy lifestyle has
become even more critical in the coronavirus epidemic. Try to have a diet rich
in proteins, fats, and vegetables. Try to reduce the consumption of simple
carbohydrates, sugar, gluten, and other processed foods. Stay positive. Follow
all the necessary precautions. Remember, there is no escape from the threat of
the virus at this time. Remember, a healthy diet will boost immunity, which
will not only fight against the coronavirus, but also protect against many
other new threats we may not know, but which may come in the future.
The Coronavirus pandemic has spread all over the world. Many of us are staying
inside our house to stop the spread of the virus. Some are working from home,
and some are out of work. I am getting a lot of phone calls from my patients
who are complaining about increasing stress, anxiety, and isolation during this
period. Besides, many are fearful, panicking, and unable to sleep at night.
Staying inside for multiple days is very stressful and can a toll on anybody.
Today, I am
going to discuss ten things we all can do while inside to stay positive and productive
during this crisis. These are everyday things which most of us already know.
But during a crisis, these are worth remembering and repeating. I have been
practicing them to keep my sanity and have been recommending them to my
patients who have found it beneficial. So, lets star:
1.Structure & Routine: It is imperative to stay busy during this lock-down. An empty mind is a devil's workshop. For those not used to work from
home, this can be a significant challenge. The goal is to keep a structure. During
normalcy, the world follows a routine. All work has a start and ends time. All
businesses, offices, schools have an opening and close time.As you stay home, you have to give yourself,
and if your small children them a structure. Set up a goal. Make a checklist, all
the things to be done for the day, stick it up the wall and follow it.
2.Exercise: When we stay indoors, we
have to move less, and we get less exercise. These cause sleep problems at
night as our body is not tired enough, and over time we feel low. Staying
indoors is no excuse for not getting work out. Many simple things you can do
indoors. Pushups, jumping jacks, stretching climbing stars repeatedly. You can
work out your entire body with any weight that you have, or even using your
body weight. Check out your tube for the home workout videos. The challenge is
when we go to the gym, we get uninterrupted free time without distraction,
in-home, we have family, children, chores- in that case, spread your workout
through the day, and do small chunks at a time. As long as you get a decent
workout within the day – it is okay.
3.Avoid social isolation- Many
Americans already feel lonely and isolated, which is a big reason for the
increasing mental illness. The coronavirus epidemic has exacerbated social
isolation to an even extreme level. Make a priority to stay in touch with your
friends and family through phone and video chat. Since most are locked inside, this
is a perfect opportunity to touch base with distant family members and
long-lost friends. Also, since all the family is in the home now, this an ideal
time to strengthen the family bonds between husband-wife, boyfriend-girlfriend-
father-son, mother-daughter by doing shared activities.
4.Be Outside Safely: Being inside does
not mean that you are in prison. Make sure to keep the windows open to let some
fresh air inside. If you have a balcony, terrace, patio, backyard- make full
use of it, and get as much free time as possible without incurring risk. You
can also walk near around the house or in a trail as long as you maintain the
six feet safety distance, use a protective face mask, and wash your hands
before and after.
5.Stay Positive: During the time of
panic and crisis, it is essential to stay positive. Do not criticize, and do
not complain. Corona-crisis posed a new challenge, which no one could foresee,
nor prepare. Avoid watching the news more than once a day as hearing all about
the sufferings, and death,around the
world repeatedly is demoralizing and traumatizing. I see many are continually
posting all the scary CoronaVirus updates on the Facebook and whatsapp groups.
Remain hopeful. Whenever you say or something negative, try to balance it with
something positive.
6.Use social media - Generally, I have
mixed feelings about social media. But this is an exceptional time. Many are
uploading pictures of exercise, cooking, gardening, and other things they are
doing from home during this time. It can be inspiring and uplifting. Also,
social media can help to stay in touch with others. You can do positive things
and upload them, and the positive feedback that you get will inspire you to do
more. However, make sure to use it in moderation and not at the expense of
other essential things.
7.Reading: Do you have a wish list of
books they have always wanted to read, but never got the time. Leisure time at
home is the perfect time to renew the practice of reading. If you find reading
a book taxing, audio-books are good options. Audiobooks are easy on the eyes,
and you can listen to them, as do household chores. Reading is an excellent
mental exercise as it creates new images in mind. Reading keeps your mind
active,youthful and protects against
age-related memory loss.
8.New hobby – Many of us always wanted
to pursue a hobby and start a new project. But we never could find time for
that. There are still some more urgent and pressing issues like work, travel,
family, relationships. Now with more free time at hand, there is an excellent time
to do what you have been putting off so long. I started my social media
platform, including youtube, Instagram, and Facebook page during this time. You
can take online classes, watch videos to learn more about your interests.Good sources are masterclass and great
courses.
9.Try Cooking: Most restaurants are
closed now. We have to take care of our meals. Stay away from the precooked
processed food filled with sugar, salt, and chemical preservatives. As we are
inside the home all day,this is a
perfect time to hone our cooking skills. Whatever you want to cook, easy you-tube tutorials are available for free. Once you learn how to cook, you can
make tasty food using all the healthy ingredients. Cooking is a life skill that
will serve you more for your health than any other skill.
10.Mindfulness:
As we stay at home, this is a great time to learn and practice mindfulness,
which is a life-enhancing skill. Mindfulness improves our focus and attention
and makes us more open-minded and less judgmental. Mindfulness is an excellent
way to cope with the anxiety, stress, and restlessness that many are feeling
inside. Many organizations are providing free online mindfulness classes. I
will give some links to free mindfulness classes during this time.
In summary,
realize that this is a historical moment when the entire world is fighting a
common cause. Observe and learn how things unfold. I recently read an excellent
column by psychiatrist Dr. Shawn Sidhu who said that social distancing does not
mean social isolation, nor it means self-imprisonment. Also, realize the value
of human interaction. Practice mindfulness and use this moment to connect to
something deeper within yourself. Stay inside, stay active, and stay positive.
Make the best use of this time and opportunity, which may never come again in
our lifetime.
