Dr. Carlo Saviano, MD

Dr. Saviano helped me resolve some personal issues. I found him to be a wonderful listener and a great observer. He is a people person, very present for you.

I had suffered from anxiety and depression since childhood, but no one had ever diagnosed my problems. When the darkness would overpower me, I saw the world in black and white instead of color. People meant well, but when they have no first-hand experience with mood disorders, they give advice like "snap out of it." I spent my life trying to hide the fact that underneath my sunshine smile lurked overwhelming depression, and a resulting self-loathing. I was super intelligent, attractive,slender, healthy, and popular. Why was I always so nervous and miserable? Can you imagine being so depressed that you could not even enjoy a trip to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands? I was ready to end my life because I could not stand being myself anymore. My primary care physician had tried to give me anti-depressants, but the side effects were always too strong. I wanted so much to feel better that I wouldn't let myself read the side effects. Still, I had unbearable headaches, nausea, and… feelings of unreality. I did find a psychiatrist, and he was very nice, but he told me all he could do was prescribe medications and check in at times to see how I was doing. Once again, I was given anti-depressants and left to fend for myself. Once again, I couldn't bear the side effects. A miracle happened for me. I was looking through the phone book, and Dr. Saviano's name popped up. That was the first day of my journey back to life. Before he even began prescribing medication, Dr. Saviano ordered extensive blood tests. It was uncovered that I have a severe B-12 deficiency which contributes to depression. A B-12 deficiency cannot be detected by a regular blood screening. Also, I had serious hypothyroidism. Next, Dr. Saviano had me try just a tiny grain of an anti-depressant. What he found, and the others had failed to see, was that I could not take a full tablet of medicine. It has been a long, tough ride for me, but Dr. Saviano was there every step of the way. He was godsend, and I will be forever grateful for his genius, care, and patience with me, an immensely complex,difficult case.