Locations
Healthtap Concierge
lafayette, CA
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
Dr John Moranville has more than 25 years experience in psychiatry and addiction medicine. He has had experience working with a wide variety of patient populations in inpatient, outpatient and emergency settings. He helped author several scientific publications and has extensive teaching experience. Dr Moranville is passionate about educating the public as well as other medical professionals about the stigma that surrounds mental illness.His website thebipolardoc is a source of general information about bipolar disorder as well as other mental health and addiction and his personal philosophy of treatment. He is on Twitter as @thebipolardoc He has been a featured guest on the Brian Tracy Show shown on CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates and is author of a chapter in Brian Tracy's "Cracking the Success Code"
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
- Select Specialities -
Addiction Medicine
Licenses
United States: California
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
683 Answers
566 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Nervous habit: Your brother's lip chewing is more likely a nervous habit than ocd. The o in OCD refers to obsession and the c refers to compulsion. The most common c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Not the best: Ambien (zolpidem) is probably not the best especially after a stroke. Would be better to avoid meds altogether. Sleeping problems are often do to poor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Lack of energy...: The classic symptoms of depression are decreased energy, decreased motivation, decreased interest in pleasurable activities, and decreased self esteem... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Probably: If you think you are, you probably are. Cannabis can be very addictive. Fortunately, there is no physical addiction and no withdrawal symptoms when yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Probably: Racing thoughts can be a part of several mental disorders most commonly bipolar, but depends on other symptoms. See a psychiatrist and they can help y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Diphenhydramine: Is the same thing as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) which is an antihistamine. It is the sedating component of most over the counter sleeping preparations... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Many potential: Most common are dizziness or lightheadedness, somnolence, dry mouth, headache, diarrhea or constipation, nausea/vomiting, insomnia all of which may be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Drug research: Drug companies spend millions of $ before a medication can be prescribed. There are 2 phases of drug development before use in humans. The 3rd phase o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Unlikely: No evidence i know of that and there are significant interactions. Though interactions are the same there is evidence that Cymbalta (duloxetine) may h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Not a good idea: Not sure why you would want to do this. Lorazepam and temazepam are both benzodiazepines. Temazepam is more sedating and used for insomnia. Lorazepam ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Very different: Benzodiazepines bzd develop tolerance and can be addictive. Antidepressants ad are not. All bzd effect GABA and are different only in half life and o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Yes: Don"t know what you mean by seriously, but drinking more than about 6 drinks on a daily basis could lead to some withdrawal symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Caffeine withdrawal : Coffee has caffeine and if you are a heavy coffee drinker headaches are a symptom of withdrawal. Drinking coffee will diminish headaches. Exceptin and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
See doc: discuss this with your primary care doctor. He or she will likely suggest blood tests and/or other tests
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Take in am: Wellbutrin (bupropion) can cause insomnia. It is not recommended to take at bedtime
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Possibly: for some people with ADD Wellbutrin (bupropion) works very well. Hope it works for you. Thanks for using healthtap
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Methamphetamine: this is an unusual symptom but methamphetamine can definitely effect brain function. Are you having other symptoms. Please stop using meth and conside... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Moisturizer : there are many OTC preparations to help moisturize your nasal mucosa. Depends on where bleeding is coming from but a nasal spray with just normal sali... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Depends: on heart murmur, but energy drinks have high levels of caffeine and sometimes other stimulants as well all of which will increase heart rate and could... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Yes: You should definitely cut back if you think you smoke too much.if you smoke regularly it can dramatically affect your motivation and interest in produ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Neither: Both are bad. Gatorade, milk, fruit juice or water are much better alternatives
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
None: Both are used to detect the amount of alcohol circulating in your body. The only difference is a breathalyzer does not require a blood sample and is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Yes: There are no known interactions between this combination of medications.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Mania: Bipolar 1disorder is is distinct from bipolar 2 by severity of manic episodes. Bipolar 2 has hypo mania which may mean some decreased need for sleep a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 34-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Seizures: It is not good idea to drink alcohol in excess with any medication meaning more than 1 or 2 drinks at a time.. One of the potential side effects of w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
One what?: 1 drink (ie 1 12 oz beer, 1 6-8oz glass of wine, 1 shot distilled spirits) is unlikely to be detrimental unless using other drugs or certain prescript... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Less specific: Autism is one type of developmental disorder and is characterized by abnormal social interaction and communication with repetitive behaviors occurring... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
DR or ER: There are 2 different forms of depakote. Dr has a shorter half life and is usually dosed twice a day. Er has a longer half life and is usually dosed o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Many things: Most likely reason at that age would be stress, but could be an indication of something else going on. Your doctor could help you discuss any other sy... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Absolutely not: We can't help you if you hide anything and that is what we are here for. As others have noted if you feel uncomforatable about talking about anything ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Benzodiazepine: Xanax (alprazolam) is very short acting with increased anxiety between doses and severe withdrawal including seizures if stopped abruptly. Ativan or K... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Yes and no: Depression can exacerbate any condition, but that does not mean the condition is caused by the depression. "depression"is a very real condition which ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Nutri Bullet?: Not sure what it is. If just multivitamin woud be beneficial. As far as Paxil (paroxetine) and Lovastatin there are no known interactions, but as alwa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Yes: Doses of over 30 mg of Abilify (aripiprazole) are not indicated for anyone? You should go to the er to be evaluated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Agree with Dr Fricke: Not only is medical information especially mental health very confidential it is not good to make assumptions about someone else. Family and friends c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Gradual taper: Depending on what dose, Methadone taper can be a long process. When below 30 mg, switching to Suboxone (buprenorphine) may be an option.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
See a psychiatrist: Tourette's disorder is characterized by uncontrolled utterances or movements and ocd involves obssesive thoughts with compulsive behaviors that are us... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Not ruined: It is not possible to "ruin" your body, but binging could cause some serious health issues and if you are also purging that can create other health pr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
No: Medications decrease or even eliminate many of the symptoms, but it is still a chronic, progressive illness. It is a syndrome with many possible cause... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
?: Schizophrenia is a chronic illness and variably progressive. Symptoms may fluctuate and treatment may eliminate many of the symptoms and slow progress... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 61-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Less trazodone: Trazodone is often oversedatng with morning grogginess. I would suggest taking only 1/2 pill of trazodone or even stopping it entirely and see if you ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Many possibilities: Migraine headaches often present with prodrome which could effect vision, but i would want to know how often this happens and if there are other assoc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Talk to your doctor: Agree with dr nawaz about possible opiate withdrawal. Also Prozac (fluoxetine) can sometimes increase anxiety. You should talk to your doctor and let ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Unlikely: Though I have never seen this, Buspar (buspirone) does have an affinity for Dopamine receptors as well as serotonin, but specific effects are not know... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Mood stabilizer: Most common are lithium, depakote, or lamictal. Seroquel and Abilify (aripiprazole) are also used. Many other options if side effects or inadequate re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Yes: "cutting" in the absence of suicide intent is due to some underlying conflict and/or feeling "numb" the most common reasons for "cutting" or other se... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
None: Anorexia and bulimia (binging and purging) are seperate disorders which are unlikely to occur together. Anorexia is specifically a fear of gaining wei... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Stress: Stress is inevitable. To relieve it, we react or respond. Reaction is automatic. Response is a choice.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Adaptive?: Stress is inevitable and to some degree anxiety is what inspires us to accomplish things. An anxiety disorder is a maladaptive pattern of responding t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
5 half lives: Half life is about 28 hours. It takes about 5 half lives to get it all out of your system.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >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.
10
Recommendations
1.0K
Thank you notes
Jun 13, 2015
I have learned a great deal from Dr. Moranville, and look forward to learning more. Clearly an expert in his field, and warmly meets patients where they are and collaborates well with colleagues. Heal...Read More
Mar 6, 2013
Dr. Moranville is a very experienced physician who writes compassionate, well-grounded answers for people with a wide range of issues. And he acknowledges when he needs more info. I appreciate his p...Read More
Jun 2, 2015
Highly recommend Dr Moranville for his hard work, dedication and passionate work in the field of medical psychiatry
HealthTap member
Thanks for your answer. No, actually I meant 1mg of Lexapro. Some months back, I started on 5mg of Lexapro and I had a bad reaction. Through the roof anxiety and major insomnia. The doc prescribed 1mg...Read More
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! no im not i meant to put that on hers cuz it had me do her a profile some reason.lol thanks and no i havent dont know how tobring it up
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! This is a very powerful drug with many side effects; I decided to quit cold turkey after 6yrs, THIS WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, IA
Graduated 1985MD
Residency
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO MEDICAL CENTER
Residency
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITAL & CLINICS
Awards
Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco 1991-2002
Top Doctor, First Place, San Francisco, CA - Winter
2013
Thought Leader, First Place, San Francisco, CA - Winter
2013
Affiliations
HealthTap Club MD
American Psychiatric Association
American Society of Addiction Medicine
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less