Dr. Robert Olsen
Psychiatry
Normandy Park, WA
53 years experience male
Locations
Robert B Olsen MD Inc PS
Seattle, WA
About
Bio
I am a local boy, born , raised, and educated in the Pacific Northwest. I value our clean air and water, and I value and respect our cultural diversity. I attended the Univerity of Washington School of Medicine; then spent seven years at USC for post graduate training in internal medicine and psychiatry.
My wife and I returned to Seattle with our y0ung daughter and a pocket full of sheepskins. I started practice in 1978 and have been busy and productive ever since.
Within a few years I was asked to create the Department of Psychiatry at Providence Hospital, and I served two terms as Chairman of that Department. During that same time my wife blessed me with our son.
We learned how to sail local waters, I learned how to navigate medical politics. I built the Psychiatry Department from ten physicians to 22 who regularly admitted patients and grew the service from 28 beds to 44.
I learned how to play soccer to help coach my son's team; I taught my daughter the basics of navigation. I learned to cook so my wife could return to school for an advanced degree in psychology.
My peers taught me the importance of leadership and twice elected me President of the Washington State Psychiatric Association and later as a Trustee to the Washington State Medical Association.
I believe that I practice medicine in the spirit of Hippocrates and William Osler. I spend time with the patients. I take my own history and do my own examinations.
I have watched and railed against the development of the "efficient" 8-10 minute "team-based" office encounter which is dangerous to patients' health and to physicians freedoms. I have watched patients and friends be harmed by this change in attitude and values.
At sea, I keep my hand on the wheel, my cheek to the wind, my eye scans the horizon, and I keep my family safe. In practice I keep mind on the patient, my ears on his history, my eyes on his person, keeping us both safe from harm.
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
Geriatric Psychiatry
Internal Medicine
Doctor Q&A
144 Answers
16 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 48-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Uncertain: There are not enough studies upon which to base a concise response to our question. In various studies, the drop-out rate for all side e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Tissue injury: Anything that disrupts tissue integrity can cause brain damage: lack of or reduced oxygen (stroke), viamin deficiency, pressure (hydrocephalus, or, b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes, but some cost: AS you didn't state dosages, be sure you're taking maximum dosages-check with pharmacist re this. If still a problem, consider asking your physician... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Some likely causes: Trouble staying awake daytime is a result of poor sleep-not enough sleep or disturbed sleep. If more than 6 hours/night and if you are restl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
It's a side effect: Haloperidol can cause a range of well known muscular-coordination problems. . There are additional medications that may reduce these effects and may ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes.: There are a few medications that may help people lose weight by reducing their absorption of calories, e.g., orlistat; or suppressing appetite;, e.g. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Ask your doctor: While you do not say why you are taking these medications, they are medications that in this combination would not be prescribed without significant s... 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. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Vitamin deficiency?: Vitamin B12 deficiency. If so, there should be other symptoms such as decreased touch and vibration sensation in the feet and decreased reflexes. V... 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 Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Cognitive exercise: Depression can cause sleep disturbance, and some of the antidepressants can interfere with sleep initiation or maintenance. Calming you mind before... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
U need some help: You describe a not uncommon problem that can have one or more roots. It is a psychological problem that can be improved, once the source is determine... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Maybe: Sudden sadness by itself is not bipolarism, or even depression, just like a cough is not necessarily pneumonia. There are several reasons for sudden s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Hours to a day: If the symptoms that you describe have been present for more than 24 hours, you need an antidote to those side effects. These are known side effects ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
No.: The problems of excessive daytime somnolence eds is usually due to inadequate or ineffective sleep. You need to see a sleep specialist ify our doctor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Absolutely not!: Something is seriously wrong. Take your child to the er right now> he/she has menningitis or encephalitis until proven otherwise. There is no time ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes: Elavil (amitriptyline) blocks the chemicals that produce gastric emptying, acetylcholine. The dose is less important than the susceptibility of the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Not at all: The homozygous mthfr mutation limits your cells' ability to activate the dietary Folic Acid and the Folic Acid in the multivit. The l-methylfolate is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Several options: That general area is home to ovarian cysts, diverticula, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis. Demoid cyst development. If you have a fever, an infectio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Used Correctly, none: There is no evidence that current psychiatric medications cause brain damage when used appropriately. Used in excessive dosage or in wrong combinatio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Unlikely: Profound sleep deprivation can lead to psychosis with hallucinations, but would require several days without any sleep. However, if you have an under... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Maybe: If you are pulling out hair, yes. Otherwise there are several neurologic disorders that can cause constant restlessness. A neurologist can help you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
No.: Adolescent males will occasionally develop firm, sometimes tender lumps in the breast. Usually these are benign. But there is a genetic predispositi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Something is wrong!: At age 39 you should not have osteoporosis. You could have thyroid or parathyroid disease. Medications for osteoporosis are not without risks. T... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Sort of: There are several meds that can help migraine, but none with the same appetite suppressant effects. But the good news is that the line/dose between ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Less than 24 hours: The rate of drug excretion is called the half life; it is the time that it takes for half of the medication to be excreted from the body. Buprenorphi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes.: Lexapro (escitalopram) in the male can have deleterious effects on sperm, including reduced motility, a factor if you are trying to get pregnant. I ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Up to 6 weeks & more: A problem with antidepressants: there is no sure-fire way to pick one that will work for sure; and no sure fire way to get the correct dosage right of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
No. but trouble: You have migratory polyarthritis, of which rhematoid arthritis is one of the major players. Ou should cojsult with a rheumatologist, a specialist in ... 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 Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes, but hold on.: Panic attacks are just that, attacks without provocation. They are distressing, but not dangerous 99.99% of the time. If you are generally anxious ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
It's all physiology: Bacteria and viruses that cause human illnesses have specific requirements; oxygen, sugar, protein, and a limited temperature range for life and rep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Patience please: The SSRIs like escitalopram need an effective dosage and then time to begin to have the desired effect.AT 20 mg ou are approaching a dosage... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Almost, but why?: The dosage for mirtazepine may include and , rarely, exceed 90 mg. Dosage must reflect how your body metabolizes the drug. The important question... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Apnea or panic: Possibly withdrawal panic attacks; but more likely and worrisome concern is central sleep apnea - brain not registering low oxygen - forgets... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
5-8 days: The elimination half life of clonazepam is dose dependent and ranges from 24 - 40 hours. A single 2 mg pill will have a longer total elimi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Several possibilitie: Sounds like you're worried about infection.. Possible, especially if you have fever. Swollen red spots it tissue in back of throat could be infection... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes, usually: An incidental finding is one that is not expected based on clinical history and examination findings; i.e., there was no evidence for infection ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Probably OK: If you did take that amount and if you are not feeling badly--nausea, shaky, toxic, you will probably be OK. BUT if you begin feeling i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Could be a problem: The risk is for cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) or abnormal electrical patterns in the brain. If possible, check your pulse several time... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Atenolol: 1st choice: With complex metabolic profiles of your psych meds, atenolol presents lesser risk of drug interactions. The interaction of carbamazepine an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes bread and beer : The combination of abdominal pain (cramps), neurological syptoms, skin rash, and "digestive" problems (?Gas, bloat, diarrhea, mucous in stool) sugges... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes- need history: While both headaches sound different, both can cause "tension" headache symptoms of bi-temporal pain. Risk: chronic sinus infection.. Questions: ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Every day: The time it of day for sertraline doesn't matter unless it causes sleepiness (take at night) or restlessnes (take in daytime. If you take other medic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Not necessarily: Attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity can be silent for ears in a bright and curious child; the curiosity acts like a stimulant to engage... 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 Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
There is some debate: I agree with dr. Bessinger that under most circumstances the answer is no. However, if the circumstances or situation of the injury are sufficiently... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Likely prostate: Prostate enlargement, infection or irritation can produce those symptoms. Regardless of cause, you should see your doctor for an exam, some lab tests... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Known side effects: These side effects are found in all the medications is this class; you are slightly more sensitive to them at this dose than most. You also want to ch... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
No.: Antibiotics can block excretion of some substances, but i could find none that would be suspect in this instance.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Correct: It takes about two weeks for the egg to ripen to ovulation. Ovulation is triggerred by a horone spike. A variety of difficulties can occur to prevent... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Yes: Pcos is failure of the egg to fully ripen and ovulate. Hence the natural hormone rhythm is disturbed, which can result in depression, distress, prol... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Arthritis get help: A single swollen, red painful joint is an infeted joint until proven otherwise. Get to the doctor! other causes could be one of the rheumatoid arth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 53 years experience
Probably not: Used under medical supervision, stimulants can be used for long periods without known adverse fx. However, stimulants not first choice for sleep di... 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.
3
Recommendations
277
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Sep 3, 2022
Hi doctor my name is artur zaychik I need A refill of my 3 medications ....I been taking Adderall 30mg 3 times aday kolonapins 2 mg 3 times a day .and my suboxone 8 mg 3 times a day...I been taking t...Read More
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Olsen is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Olsen is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! I was sedentary and somewhat overweight from the stress and also taking care of the baby everyday. But, no family history of heart disease or sudden death. You are right...Read More
HealthTap member
Ty the legs r numb from the knees Dn and from wrest to finger tip.back is get bad pain across lower back walk 25' and have to set Dn
HealthTap member
Thank you. I finally fell asleep without pills aid. If today the symptoms flare up I am calling the Dr. again... Thank you.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
Graduated 1971MD
Residency
Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center
Residency
Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center
Awards
Best Doctors in America 2001-2012, Best Doctors in America
America's Top Psychiatrists 201-2002, 2006-2007
Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
Affiliations
American Psychiatric Association
Washington State Psychiatric Association
American Medical Association
Publications
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