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Office
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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: Colorado, New York, Texas
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
72 Answers
13 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Ignore: I think it's all real.
Watch! It changes very soon.
Wait! It changes soon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Tolerance: Likely your system has adjusted and your tolerance has increased. You might consider a medication like Rozerem (ramelteon) which is indicated in long ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Short ans. Probably: If she provides a reasonable time for you to find another prescriber (30 days in most states) and offers emergency coverage and Rxs in that period, ye... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Too broad a question: Depending on the drug being tested there are a load of over the counter meds and even foods which can cause false positives.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Yes: I mean, like it says on the package. Not more than that.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
A big difference: Catatonia is an uncommon, severe and life threatening psychiatric condition. Usually in the context of severe mood disorders. It involves inability to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Antidepressants: Can help. Discuss with your doctor. Sometimes estrogen replacement/support can alleviate symptoms as well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
You need a doctor: Lithium is a very effective medicine and it requires a doctor monitoring your blood levels and how your system is responding to the medicine. Refills ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Go see your doctor: Chronic cough with phlegm (color, amount?) may indicate need for more active medical intervention.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Any number of things: That's an easy internet search, from pseudophed to some prescription meds.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
0.5mg is lowest: Nice thing about clonazepam is with its long 1/2 life, detox is pretty easy. In a community setting, I'd probably cut the dose by 1 mg each step targe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
How young?: "Sedative" is a very broad description as is "young". You'd need to be much more specific about what meds and what age.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Work with your doc: Gradual, patient dose reductions along with good psychosocial supports and recovery work can get you off methadone and continue your recovery journey.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Ues: Albuterol has those as side effects. If it's a new development since you started, this may indicate other changes in your metabolism. Discuss with you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Talk to her: Truth is, most of us aren't great at adherence to our meds. Docs know this and expect it. Most of us realize you're the boss and know what your body n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Ask your doctor: Your doctor may be investigating your MVP symptoms or might be assessing the effect your current medications have had on your heart rhythms. If the fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Hard to say: If it's a change from a previously normal EEG it might mean there are some changes in how your brain processes signals. If it's your first EEG it migh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Which antidepressant: This is important to know. Also, any other medical conditions beyond those reported?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Cautiously: If you are already tolerating your current MEDS, adding theophylline could be done cautiously. Tegretol will increase the metabolism of theophylline s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
If used as directed.: 1-2 days of this at night while you get through your cold is fine. More chronic use suggests a need to discuss with your doctor. In any case let him k... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Prolactin effects: Risperidone can elevate prolactin levels which control production of breast milk--thus the breast pain.
GI upset isn't all that common, but can happen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Relax!: Assuming you've not had any serious psychiatric conditions develop so far at 35, you are past the age at which most women manifest symptoms of bipolar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Generally safe: But, why do you have insomnia at 18 is a more important question. From your other meds, I infer you're being treated for depression +\- anxiety.
Maxi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
A higher dose: All the benzodiazepines like clonazepam work much the same at the GABA receptor. Dosing generally determines the effect.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
It depends on dose.: Mirtazapine is kind of funny. At lower doses, it makes people pretty drowsy which can help if they're having sleep problems as part of their major dep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Not so you'd notice: I guess that some extremely sensitive tests might detect some tar and nicotine in your partner's saliva, but highly unlikely that there's enough there... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Welcome to humanity: Most of us find that our minds have loops they fall into. If you find these repeating songs are troubling you, it's worth discussion with a psychiatri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Probably: In moderation. Ativan and alcohol work on the same receptors (GABA) in your brain. ONE dose of Ativan 11 hours ago is largely gone from your system. O... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Yes, a little: But the important question is whether it's helping the condition she prescribed it for. If it is, then great! If not, it's important you and your doct... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Guessing not working: You're on a fairly low dose of sertraline. Talk with your doctor about a dose increase.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Go to the emergency: Withdrawal is a concern. Any other medications, alcohol or street drugs recently stopped abruptly? Abrupt discontinuation of high alcohol intake or me... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
A lot potentially: Drowsiness, jittery, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, "spacey" feeling, heart rhythm changes, dizziness.
I'm assuming this is experimentation, not a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Unlikely: See your family medicine doctor. You don't mention a fever, but you may well have a community acquired pneumonia.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Yes: My rule of thumb is, if zero response in 4 weeks, probably time to increase dose or change meds. If partial response, wait the full 6 wks and consider... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Something to questio: Not sure of your age, use of oral contraceptives, activity level and various other factors. Discuss with your doctor, but needs an evaluation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Probably the same: Amount of neurological damage as X without an SSRI.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Side effect zyprexa (olanzapine): Zyprexa blocks dopamine receptors which leads to increased prolactin. While not directly related to ovulation, your body most likely is overriding the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Why?: Switching is fairly straightforward, but why are you thinking of switching? If mirtazapine isn't working, that's one set of questions. If you're havin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Alcohol withdrawal: Can be dangerous without good medical support. Detox allows your body to adjust to going without alcohol without the heightened risk of seizures, hall... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
3 days: Half life of valproate sodium and valproic acid is 16 hours. Steady state is reached at 3 1/2 half lives--i.e. 62 hours. For ease of calculation, 72 h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
It's for sleep-wake: Disorders. Narcolepsy or shift workers who have trouble staying awake for their new shifts. Also fatigue in multiple sclerosis. May inhibit uptake of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
You have options: Congratulations about deciding to quit. Use the national Quit line for support. Simplest is using over the counter nicotine replacement. Not as effect... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Pain is broad issue: Diffuse, non specific aches and pains without a specific locale can suggest depression. Chronic pain, type and location will help your doctor localize... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Marijuana naive?: If you've never tried marijuana before, you might still be noticing some effects. It's not common, but you might still have enough in your system to a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
No such thing: There's no entity called Tri-polar disorder. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
This is tough.: Schizophrenia is a chronic and challenging illness. Emergency rooms are when people are at risk of dying from whatever cause and requiring attention i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Discuss with doc: I'm assuming you're taking these meds under a doctor's supervision and not just seeing how they make you feel. If prescribed for a condition where the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Fears like this: Should be addressed with a therapist. Realistically, you can't get pregnant not even a sexually transmitted disease in the ways you're worrying about.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Yes, but...: Weaning off methadone can also be done by a patient, careful, supervised reduction in methadone alone. That's certainly a cleaner way to move off all ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Van normananswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Sometimes the flu: Can cause these symptoms but you should talk with your doctor as it sounds like your depression might be getting a little worse.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k 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.
2
Recommendations
80
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Van norman is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Van norman is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Many thanks. I too feel my pain is due to depression as does my psychiatrist. Hopefully the ad's will help with this also.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Remeron isn't working that's why I want to switch. Thanks for the help
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you. This is for my daughter.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Texas Medical School at Houston, TX
Graduated 1987MD
Residency
University Health Sciences Center Houston
Awards
Top Psychiatrist , Third Place, National - Fall
2014
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