Locations
Office
Newport News, VA
My office hours
Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Show morePhone
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company
Cigna
United HealthCare Insurance Company
Universal Health Care
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Kentucky
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Tennessee
CIGNA Health Care
CHAMPUS
Tricare
Medicaid
About
Bio
I graduated from Medical College of Virginia and have been in practice of Psychiatry for over 20 years, currently in Private Practice along with full-time work as an attending MD for a Residential Treatment Center for Adolescents in Newport News, Virginia. My interests and expertise include Mood disorders, Anxiety and Depression, Panic Disorder, Consultation Liason Psychiatry, as well as Addictionology. I am Board Certified in General Psychiatry Adolescent Psychiatry.
SpecialtiesDoctors 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.
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
ADHD and Autism
Child Psychiatry
Neurology
Licenses
United States: Virginia
Languages spoken
Arabic
Doctor Q&A
10K Answers
122K Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Snacking: Late snacking can interfere with sleep & gives u heartburn. Not enough time to digest what u ate.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Eating DO's: Work on self image/self esteem issues with a therapist experienced with cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders. Prognosis is favorable with c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
OCPD: A psychiatrist doing insight-oriented psychotherapy would be your best bet.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Depression: Vegetative signs & symptoms such as changes in sleep/appetite/energy level, along with sadness/hopelessness/despair.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Bone injury: Depends on the location, the extent & whether it is closed or compound.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Armpit shave: Not at all. Just keep the area clean & dry.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Sedation: All are sedating, recommend you talk with your prescribing physician. It can be reversible with proper adjustments.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Panic: Please refer to my previous answers on panic for details. Also, my post on breathing exercises.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Iritis & pot: That would ease one problem to create another.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Fanapt (iloperidone): In susceptible individuals, although very infrequent, dose-related & depends on length of time being on it. Same for all other new generation antipsyc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Gerd: Be careful what u eat at night, no late smacking, prop up with an extra pillow under your head, and review your meds. With your doc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
ECT: It can be used for clinical depression unresponsive to medications or other treatments or if cannot tolerate medications. It is safe and effective.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Stye: An opthalmologist will drain the stye under local anesthesia.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine): There are several options, from switching to another amphetamine-group medication to switching to methylphenidate group of stimulants to adding kapvay... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Invega (paliperidone): It is long-acting risperdal, once daily dosing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Vitamins: Vitamin b is already in the mv pill. Adding it gives u more energy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Irregular periods: Several possibilities come to mind, but i recommend an exam by a ob/gyn specialist to put your mind at ease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
BP: For your age this is brilliantly normal. Hope your anxiety is under control with treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Ovarian tumor: A follow up with your ob/gyn doctor will clarify the issue. Wish u well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Zometa: Fatigue, anemia, muscle aches, fever, swollen feet or legs, flu-like symptoms, & rarely osteonecrosis of the jaw & bone fractures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Autism Spectrum DO: It is classified as pervasive developmental disorder, and includes Asperger syndrome, autism, childhood disintegrative disorder & rett syndrome. It is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Horny: If both partners are fertile and no protection used, possible.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Effexor (venlafaxine): Unlikely, since daily dose still low.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Bipolar: Manic depression is a mood disorder that presents with extreme highs & lows, with at least few weeks of manic phases (abnormally elevated mood & energ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Eating DO's: Work on self image/self esteem issues with a therapist experienced with cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders. Prognosis is favorable with c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Vaginal discharge: Clear discharge for months with recent swelling calls for consult with your ob/gyn. To beon safe side. Good luck.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Seroquel (quetiapine): If prescribed by same physician & monitored for tolerability ( no morning sedation), it should be ok.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Dad: Needs to be evaluated for dementia & ruling out medical/medication causes of symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
DID (Multiple Person: Also called multiple personality do, is characterized by at least 2 distinct identities that alternately control one's behavior, accompanied by memory... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Prozac (fluoxetine): Not sure how long u have been on prozac, (fluoxetine) but since half life of Prozac (fluoxetine) is long, it is best to introduce the other ssri cauti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Bipolar: Mild cases (bipolar type 2 or cyclothymia) who have strong support system and are motivated and compliant.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Smoking: Susceptibility to respiratory tract infection, precursor to other habits, bad smell, compromising immune system, all but a few of the many negative ef... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Pink eye: Blurred vision, crusts that form on the eyelid overnight, gritty feeling in eye with eye pain, eye itching, increased tearing, redness in eye, & sensi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Remeron (mirtazapine): Dose is low. You would be ok, as long as the doctor, who knows your case well, has recommended it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Viibryd (vilazodone hydrochloride): Most likely, yes. Otherwise, discuss with your prescribing doctor possible options such as dose adjustment or adding supplement, if symptoms persist a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Bloody stool: Have it examined by your pcp to check for hemorrhoids & other lesions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Benadryl (diphenhydramine): Antihistamines are not recommended for regular use. Tolerance can develop. Review with your doctor other options.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Depression: Mild depression can. Some examples are tyrosine, carnitine, 5htp & same.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Lexapro (escitalopram): When dose is optimized, usually 4-6 weeks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Ativan (lorazepam): In most cases, tolerance can develop & effectiveness fades away, unless taken on an as needed basis & as long as no dosage changes are made.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Spider bite: If black widow spider, u notice swelling, intense pain & stiffness, chills, fever, nausea/vomiting, severe abdominal pain.
If brown recluse spider, t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Acne: Tea tree oil (melaleuca oil) is a product which is reported to have antibacterial, antifungal, anti viral & antiseptic properties. It can treat acne,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Zoloft (sertraline): This is not common side effect and is dose related. Consult the prescribing doc. To be safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Ondanestron: Yes. No problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Antidepressants: Agree with dr. Fowler. Also, other possibilities are having mood cycling, failure of previous antidepressant trials, refusal of a specific medication ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Hydroxy/Azithrom.: Combination should be safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Sleep: If u r active & healthy, that would be the minimum required. Stay healthy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Zoloft (sertraline): No. That should be safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine): No joke. It does work for depression.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Depression: That perhaps would be labeled chronic depression.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
111
Recommendations
10K
Thank you notes
Mar 27, 2013
Dr. Ali is extremely knowledgeable, his answers always provide a wealth of resources and accurate information. His expertise in medicine and psychiatry together with his compassionate clinical excelle...Read More
Mar 17, 2013
Dr. Ali is always ready to jump in and help patients on HealthTap! He's highly knowledgeable and shares his expertise generously. I imagine his own patients consider him kind and approachable, and tha...Read More
Dr. Mohammed Parvez
Jul 30, 2013
Its my pleasure to recommend Dr. Ali as the best physician in the area of expertise. He is nothing but an inspiration, motivating person, who has helped so many people on health tap, with his knowledg...Read More
HealthTap member
I have but my family's pretty anti-therapy. It's easier to not go than be told that "all shrinks are money hungry" constantly. I do wish I could tell on my own. Low libido can be fixed. If I'm just as...Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you doc for the idea. I need to discipline my toughs, because when I feel bad, excited, or scared my mannerism will attract me even I am aware of it. I can control...Read More
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! Thank you.... I have anxiety disorder and was paranoid about my HR being lower than normal today, after using a TENS unit 2 days ago. I didn’t think it’d effect my HR,...Read More
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Medical College of Baghdad
Graduated 1989MD
Medical/Graduate school
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, VA
Graduated 1992MD
Residency
Chief Psychiatry Resident
Residency
Psychiatry Residency
Awards
Smartest MD awards for past 3 yrs.
Guest Speaker For Forest Pharmaceuticals
Who's Who Awards
Publications
Borderline Personality Disorder
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