Marietta Almazon is a very dangerous doctor who should be prevented from practicing. How it is that she's continued is beyond my understanding.

Fifteen years ago, when I was about 35, she diagnosed me as bipolar in 10 minutes. Not questioning the possibility, but a direct, complete diagnosis. She wrote an Rx for Lamictal on a different Rx pad than the other meds she prescribed me (pharma kick-backs to doctors who prescribe them?). Then, most dangerous of all, she changed me from my main on-going life-saving Rx to another over a period of 4 weeks.

The change was from Effexor to Lamictal. She didn't think I would have any problems, ignoring the evidence and known effects of quick withdrawal from Effexor. I mentally and emotionally started falling apart over a period of 3 weeks, and it turned to losing my ability to manage my emotions or thoughts almost completely, ultimately creating compulsive, intrusive suicidal thoughts that reached a point where I felt I was crossing over to possibly doing them in spite of my not wanting to die. I called her office, desperate and crying. She asked two questions, and she said it was the bipolar. I ended up in my first hospitalization shortly afterwards, and it took months to fully recover from it physically, emotionally and mentally. It was the most terrifying experience I have ever had, and remember it now still, 20 years later. If you have seen the painting 'The Scream,' it accurately portrays my experience of devastation from following her directions.

Most amazingly of all:
1) One of the professionals I saw at the psychiatric hospital (Heritage Oaks in Carmichael, CA), upon my telling him my regular psychiatrist was Marietta Almazon, grimaced and said, "We're familiar with her work."

2) I met a woman close to my age who had the same, exact experience with Almazon--changed by her from one med to Lamictal in a very short period of time, falling into devastating dysphoria, and ending up in Heritage Oaks, not long after I had been out. We couldn't believe it, and wondered how ,many other patients of Almazon had suffered or even died from her negligence.

In the office, her manner was pompous, cavalier and unquestioning confidence in her judgement. She spoke in a manner of those who belive they are all-knowing. I've never come across someone like that in a professional medical capacity before or since, and felt uncomfortable around it, and now I know it is extremely dangerous. She reminds me of a true narcissist, on the edge of a pathological level.

These may seem like harsh, heavy words about another person, but I stand by them. I absolutely do not write this post lightly. I almost died following her directions, and am not alone in the hellish experience. I have had a number of excellent psychiatrists as I have moved for work over the years. When I provide my history, they have expressed disbelief and shock that a psychiatrist would do what she did.

I'm writing this to encourage anybody considering seeing her to not do so. She is harmful and blind to it. I can't say it enough--I implore you to seek a competent, thoughtful, professional, and balanced professional with good ratings and reviews for psychiatric needs, and avoid Marietta Almazon, at all costs.

If there are any psychiatrist or other mental health professionals reading this post, and you know of the avenues to take in the difficult but necessary actions of seeking removal of a psychiatrist from practice because of negligence and willful harm, I hope you will post that information here (anonymously of course). When I experienced that horrific time, the internet was a fledgling. I often thought about filing a complaint, but was scared of retribution and retaliation from her if she learned who had filed it (ie lawsuit, or harrassment). After moving back to CA recently, and still seeing that she practices, I would be willing to file a complaint or class-action if needed. How does that work?

Submitted Aug. 2, 2019

She almost killed me! Dangerously overmedicates, misdiagnoses to push her book, violent temper. Still sick from her "care" 10 years later!

Submitted Aug. 8, 2018

I know Dr. Alamazan saved my life. After a lifetime of repeated suited suicide attempts and very near succes dr. Alamazan properly diagnosed and treated me and I have stabilized moods with no wild swings.

Submitted May 19, 2016

On my initial visit I was handed a stack of paperwork to fill out regarding my mental state (i.e- deppression, anxiety, ect.) all of which were forms meant for the physician to fill out during a session as they were questions with specific instructions on how to rate the patient depending on each answer. I went into her room and spent approximately 10 minutes with her while she explained bipolar disorder complete with a pole she used to point at a poster of brain functions on her wall. She then handed me 2 other papers to include in my stack and said to fill out the paperwork and return for another appointment in a week. I spent almost an hour filling everything out and when I went back, she not only was 35 minutes late for my appointment, she literally glanced at the first 2 pages of the paperwork and decided I had severe depression and bipolar disorder and prescribed 5 different medications and sent me on my way to return in 2 weeks time. When I returned I told her that the medications were making me severely dizzy, lethargic, and unable to stay awake throughout the day she got very angry and screamed at me saying if I couldn't take all of the medications then there was nothing she could do to help me, stating she was the professional and I didn't know what I was talking about. I left her office feeling like I was completely worthless and that there was no hope. I never returned although the following week her receptionist called saying Dr. Almazon wanted me to schedule an appointment. Please do not see this woman she will only make any issues you have worse by over medicating you and literally screaming at you if you are unable to tolerate them.

Submitted Dec. 18, 2015

I agree with the others here who have said she doesn't listen, doesn't make sense and gets defensive and abusive if you challenge her in any way. I too have written a letter of complaint to both my insurance company and her liscensing board. I walked out of my initial session with her and the experience left me feeling worse than when I went in.

Submitted Dec. 4, 2015

Dr. Almazan will subscribe tons of medications. I had become lethargic after all the medications she gave me. She gets very offended when I made suggestions. From time to time, she is compassionate; however, she has temper and gets very annoyed with questions. I had to go take full psychiatric evaluations somewhere else and found out that I had none of the situations she said I had. I later found out, almost everyone that goes to see her is diagnosed as bipolar. If you are bipolar, she might be the person to see as it seems like that is her specialty; however, hopefully you have thick skin and be prepared to spend Max. of 15 minutes with her.

Another annoying stuff about the practice:
** You will be charged for refilling prescription. You will have to have all your prescription filled at your visit, if she messes up and gives you less then she will charge you for filling out prescription.

** If you ask for medical records to be sent to another doctor, be prepared to pay $35.00. I thought it was ridiculous. I was being treated there for over a year before I realized I was being over medicated and needed second opinion. I basically PAID TO GET OUT!

Submitted Jan. 26, 2015

She is cold, in your face and never smiles. When I first came to see her I was on one medication and within two months she had me on 4. When I told her I was concerned that I was on too many medications and asked her why I should keep taking them when I don't notice any change she became very defensive and said "I am the expert, you need to trust me. I don't pull anything out." How does that make sense? And the medications she presribed me were't even appropriate to treat my condition, which is depression. She prescribed me lithium, trileptal and lamotrigine. Lithium? I'm not schizophrenic! And 2 mood stabilizers? My mood is stable it is just consistently low. If you use marijuana don't even bother trying or don't tell her. I did and she threatened to report me to my insurance company. I was receiving a very expensive treatment for depression called TMS at the time and she said that if my insurance company knew that I was using marijuana, that they would stop authorizing sessions.

Submitted June 20, 2014

I have talked to psychiatrists that claim that this person should be banned from practicing and needs mental help herself. My experience was terrible. She hardly talked to me before going into a closet to throw several medication samples at me. Her office is less of a center for mental health treatment and more of an advertisement for her book. After waiting for 30 mins for an appointment I asked the receptionist for my co-pay back and told her I had to get back to work since I had scheduled my 30 min appointment on my lunch break. Almazan then came out of her office and said she would see me after completely missing my appointment. When I refused due to my work schedule, she threw up her arms and instructed her receptionist to keep my co-pay and bill me for a missed appointment. Almazan is harmful to her clients and the mental health community. A few months later, I felt lucky to find a "real" psychiatrist who actually helped me.

Submitted Oct. 25, 2013

I would never recommend her to anyone. She jumps to the bipolar diagnosis before getting to know you. Everyone is bipolar in her eyes. I am suffering while on Lamictal and Trileptal and causes high anxiety. Stay away! She is bad news. If you question her motives she yells and lectures you on how she is the expert not you.

Submitted Dec. 23, 2011

Thanks to Dr Almazan I was able to cope with my depression and anxiety disorder. she is very caring and compassionate. I'm grateful I found her.

Submitted Oct. 28, 2011