Locations
Robert L Woods MD
Irvine, CA
Phone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company
Blue Cross of California
Blue Shield of California
Pacificare Life & Health Insurance Company
United HealthCare Insurance Company
UnitedHealthcare
Robert L Woods MD Inc
Laguna Beach, CA
About
Bio
An Orange County native, I had careers in professional dance and in information and computer science before embarking on my career in medicine. I worked as a professional ballet dancer, dancing in San Francisco, New York, Germany, Switzerland, Seattle and Laguna Beach. Next I received my degree in ICS and founded my own software company ComputerBooks. My company produced the first medical software for handheld devices. Finally I enrolled in medical school in 1985 at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine, where I completed my medical training.
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
Licenses
United States: California
Doctor Q&A
430 Answers
1.9K Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
A Racing Heart: One's emotions often manifest as physical symptoms. This is known as a psychosomatic response. When you are upset or angry your body can initiate a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
OCD Treatments: There are two therapeutic approaches to treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. A specific form of cognitive behavioral therapy, where one confronts ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Many Options: Let's say you have been diagnosed by a mental health professional with major depression. Many different medications are effective in the treatment of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Diagnostic Criteria: Schizoaffective disorder can appear surprisingly similar to several other conditions including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
A Serious Problem: Alcohol dependence is characterized by consumption of alcohol where if one stops drinking abruptly they experience symptoms of withdrawal. These sympt... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Muscle 101: We have three types of muscles: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth. We have no conscious control of the latter two muscle types. Skeletal muscle is conside... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
An Amino Acid: Phenylalanine is possibly safe for most people. Having too much phenylalanine during pregnancy can increase the chances of birth defects especially f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Contraindicated: Taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (maoi), such nardil, marplan, or Parnate (tranylcypromine) with a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (ssri) s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Within The Limits: One should answer the same question of a demented patient as often as possible given that there is no harm. If you find yourself or see your loved o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Odd Food Behaviors: Preoccupation with food or dieting are generally the earliest signs of anorexia nervosa. The following are also early warning signs: refusing to eat,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 64-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Resources For Meds: Quetiapine is the generic form of seroquel (quetiapine). This medication can be very expensive. The immediate release form only recently went generi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Seek Medical Help: It is very difficult to provide you with any specific diagnosis based upon the details presented in your question. Given the fact that you have conce... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Delayed Development: Asperger syndrome (as) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by repetitive routines or rituals, peculiarities in speech and language, soci... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Essentially Anyone: The mayo clinic has identified certain factors which increase the risk of anorexia:
being female.
A young age.
Genetics.
Family history - having a fir... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
OOBE: An out-of-body experience (oobe) is an experience that typically involves a sensation of floating outside of one's body and, in some cases, perceiving... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
An Anxiety Disorder: Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where one experiences panic attacks. Panic attacks are descrete episodes of intense anxiety that occur randomly ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Rule of Three's: Attending a mental health group therapy causes stress and anxiety. I encourage my patients to use my "rule of three's". 1) you will be anxious the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Wean If Possible: After taking an antidepressant then abruptly stopping it may cause "discontinuation syndrome" (a fancy term for withdrawal). Symptoms include dizzine... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Both Increase Risk: Both Paxil (paroxetine) cr and Cymbalta can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. This risk increases in patient's taking warfarin (blood thinner), ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Many options: Fortunately we live in an era where there are multiple therapies to treat major depressive disorder (mdd) including: psychotherapy, psychopharmacology... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Caution!: It is common for someone to experience depression, irritability, anger & frustration while going through the early stages of recovery. Rarely this can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
2 to 6 Weeks: Your medication is working when your treatment goals for are being met. For example, if your your goals include being motivated to get out of bed each... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Risk vs Benefit: Elevated blood pressure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, testicular atrophy, development of breasts in men, increased body ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Qualified Clinician: There's no definitive diagnostic test for adhd — no blood analysis, no brain scan, no genetic screen — so it's not easy to tell whether a child or an ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
MD is best source.: The diagnosis of OCD is made when a patient reports having obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, or by observation of compulsive behaviors. Ch... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Entirely Possible: Flat affect is defined as a severe reduction in emotional expressiveness. A person may not show the signs of normal emotion, they may speak in a monot... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Yes.: Childhood autism is found as a listing under section 112.10 of the social security administration’s (ssa) impairment listing manual, or “blue book.” c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
With Chronic Use: Chronic smokers of methamphetamine can experience health issues directly from the drug and secondary health issues due to neglect of their basic perso... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Pretty Clear To Me: You might wonder why there are so many types of mattresses available to the consumer. Each of us has different needs for the softness or firmness of o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Anxiety & The Body: Anxiety can affect us in many ways. Not only are there psychological symptoms, but there are physical symptoms as well. Anxiety can appear as muscle... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
See Below: Amphetamine is a psychostimulant drug of the phenethylamine class that produces increased wakefulness and focus in association with decreased fatigue ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Google It: If you are using healthtap you understand a lot about technology. Type "depression support groups" in your browser and you will be amazed at the numbe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Physical VS Paych: What you describe could be physical or psychological. The only way to determine the cause and ultimately the appropriate treatment is to meet with you... 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. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
The Damage Is Done: Anyone restricting their dietary intake to only 600-700 calories each day is harming themselves. Rather than worry about when the damage starts, try ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Many Have Benefited: Aripiprazole (brand abilify) is a second generation antipsychotic indicated in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and as an adjunct in ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Many Options: We are fortunate to live in a time where there is effective treatment for depression along with many medication choices. Options include the tricyclic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Rare Side Effect: Glaxosmithklein, the maker of Paxil (generic paroxetine), reports akathesia (internal restlessness) as a rare side effect. Incidence of insomnia is 13... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
SUPERVISED TAPER: Always work with your physician whenever you adjust your medication. When tapering your dose it is good to go as slow as possible. The speed of the t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Absolutely : Individuals with eating disorders will take drastic measures in order to lose weight. Suppositories can be used as cathartics which may cause near im... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Very Safe Medication: Lexapro (generic escitalopram) has proven to be a safe an effective medication in the treatment of major depressive disorder and gereralzed anxiety di... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Review Your Goals: With outpatient psychotherapy you begin a journey that changes your life forever. As with any journey there is a traveler (you), a guide (therapist), ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Depends: Celexa (generic citalopram) is classified fda pregnancy category c (animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus but there ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
A Little More Time: Most ssri type medications, such as celexa, (citalopram) start to demonstrate improvement after two weeks. Maximum efficacy usually occurs after six w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Russian Roulette: As is often the case with many individuals who suffer from mental illness, they decide to reduce or discontinue their psychotropic medications when th... 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. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Yes It Is Safe.: There are no known interactions between ferrous gluconate and Ativan (generic lorazepam). Make sure each of your physicians is aware of each medicati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
An Eating Disorder: Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where the individual refuses to maintain an appropriate body weight, restricts intake and has a distorted body ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
ECT: For patients who have failed numerous antidepressants and other "talking" therapies and remain acutely suicidal, electro convulsive therapy (ECT) shou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Never Lose Hope: Hope is essential to our well being. Never give it up. Surround yourself with positive energy and ignore the negativity you may encounter. I commend ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Proceed With Caution: Using Elavil (generic amitriptyline) with nulev (generic hyoscyamine) may increase side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, heat in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Woodsanswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Not Unsafe: The manufacturer of xanax (alprazolam) and its generic Alprazolam suggest storing this medication in a cool, dry, dark place. There is no published d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k 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.
15
Recommendations
1.0K
Thank you notes
Apr 26, 2013
Dr. Woods has an amazing ability to simplifiy the complex in his answers. His answers are accurate and precise. Glad he is on Healthtap
Aug 16, 2013
I recommend you as a well know expert in your field.
Dr Jakavick would recommend this Dr To all who seek their expertise.
Apr 7, 2013
Answers patient's questions in a timely manner. Very knowledgeable!
HealthTap member
Thank you! This may be just what happened. I insisted on a 6 minute walk test because she has daytime drops in oxygenation and seems to breathe differently with exertion. No results back, yet. Want to...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you. I actually already know thanks to one blood test that I had mono within the last months. I also am in menopause. Both of those of those might be dragging me down as well. But yes, I do plan...Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! I had a shot of Ketorolac yesterday, still feel good today and I was wondering how long the effecct may last. Supposed to take Tylenol after this wears off. Was wonde...Read More
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 1991MD
Residency
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE MED CENTER
Awards
Sandoz Award 1991
Top Doctor, Second Place, Orange County, CA - Winter
2013
Most Influential, First Place, Orange County, CA - Winter
2013
Publications
N/A
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