This man's prescribing practices are horrific. He convinced me to keep taking extremely addictive medications despite my many protests. I am experiencing protracted withdrawal coming off the medications this man convinced me to take. It is very clear that this man is only interested in repeat customers. He should not be allowed to practise! Hi misdiagnosed me completely. When I suggested another diagnosis he just said no. Eventually I saw another Dr who was great and without me saying anything the new doctor showed me that my diagnosis from Dennis Shum was a misdiagnosis (as so many people had said) and that the I did in fact have the diagnosis I had asked Dennis shum about and he had said no! With no prompting from me! Please stay away from this man! He should not be practicing!!

Submitted Oct. 26, 2022

Dr Shum seem quite disinterested and basically tries to burn through time to get close to the 1 hour session I paid for. I've been suffering from depression and anxiety and was recommended a medication that REQUIRES a blood test if a certain organ functions properly BEFORE taking the medication which he FORGOT to tell me or my GP. This could cause a fatality in the near to long term due to the organ function ceasing or hemorrhaging. Definitely one of the more lackadaisical Doctors I've talked to thus far and definitely lacks empathy for the profession.

Submitted Nov. 23, 2021

I saw Dr. Dennis Shum for a few years, for my ADD, and he was absolutely awful. The best decision I ever made was changing psychiatrists, and I am so thankful for my new psychiatrist. Our sessions entailed Dr. Shum talking at (not to) me for great lengths, about pure nonsense. The irony was not lost on me that I was seeing this man for an inattentive disorder, a man who would activate said inattentiveness, as he and his waffling was impossible to pay attention to/absorb. He (mis) diagnosed me with everything under the sun; it was clear his focus was getting money through future appointments (ensuring I was seeing him regularly). He prescribed me an anti-psychotic (off-label) for my sleep - this medication and its side effects are notorious - I, unfortunately, had to learn this the hard way, however, as I was not warned whatsoever by Dr. Shum as to possible side effects, etc. He instructed me to take 2 of these tablets - which I discovered later, was excessive and would turn out to be disastrous. I was completing VCE at the time and subsequently missed a lot of school due to this dosage level - I would wake up at 3pm the following day, having slept through the entire school day. Dr. Shum needs to be more careful about the medicines he prescribes patients - and dosages. I weaned myself off of this medication as even when the dosage was fixed, the plethora of other side effects were so extreme. I was a zombie and lost all personality whilst on the medication. It took me about a year before I felt like myself again, and to this day I still struggle with losing the weight I gained whilst on this medication. I wish I had known what Dr. Shum was like before I saw him, as I would have avoided it altogether had I known what I know now; I must have spent thousands seeing him over the years, and I gained absolutely nothing positive from it - so I'm hoping that by detailing my experiences with him, it will help others to avoid making this mistake - having Dr. Dennis Shum for a psychiatrist.

Submitted April 6, 2021

Despite having the same ADHD prescription from the 2nd appointment I had with him, I was made to continue attending 1/2monthly appointments for years despite also seeing a psychologist approx 3 times a month in the same building who specialises in learning disabilities and ADHD. I understand that there is a mandatory number of follow up appointments needed when prescribing ADHD medication, but I was made to continue these appointments well beyond being in his service for 1.5 years with my prescription unchanged. As I have friends with the same condition I know once medication is stable they only need to attend yearly appointments, which I bought up. He agreed that after the next appointment we could change to annual catch ups, that next appointment he talked at length about different organisation apps...we had had 'that' appointment twice already and I am very proactive in that area already. I honestly don't think he reads over what topics he's covered in past appointments with patients.

He even started discussing what type of property I should be looking to invest in, which as an extremely low income earner is completely irrelevant and tone deaf to my anxieties about creating a stable financial future for myself. I had to literally stop him mid talking at me and politely say that I am not remotely in a position to buy an apartment atm.

I really feel like he milks his patients for money, doesn't engage personally with them. I appreciate having a name given to the trouble I've had with learning over the years, but I would never recommend Dr Shum for providing mental health support. He writes scripts.

Submitted Aug. 2, 2020

Dennis misdiagnosed me 15 years ago. Despite referring me to a more qualified ‘Professor’ who gave me a more accurate diagnosis he still convinced me his own diagnosis was correct. He then prescribed me extremely addictive medication. Despite my questioning it multiple times over the years he convinced me to co to incur to take the addictive medication. Then, suddenly, through his admin with no explanation he discharged me from his care and refused to speak to me or give me any explanation. Upon seeing another psychiatrist I was told I had traits of the diagnosis the ‘professor’ had diagnosed me with and that Dennis’s diagnosis was completely incorrect. I’m in the process of coming off the addictive medication (slowly and with help) and am fi ally receiving the treatment I need. Stay away from this man at all costs.

Submitted May 22, 2020

If you have (or think you have) ADHD, save your self the money and see someone else who will actually listen to you. Dr Shum was incredibly frustrating - and as other patients here have said - charges you to sit and talk at you. He should just write a book about AHDH coping methods, hand it to you when you walk in, take your $$$ and save everyone a bunch of time.
The benefit to seeing someone is being able to have a conversation - a thing that he will blatantly stifle if he wants to keep talking about a thing that doesn't apply to you. I had the same as a patient below - he wanted to tell me how to organise my life, despite me saying that I'm not interested in that (because I'm currently reading about those coping mechanisms), and asked me to not ask him questions. What kind of 'care' is that?
Ridiculous, frustrating, and I can get better value elsewhere. I just wish I'd known before.

Submitted July 17, 2018

So glad I found Dr Shum, he has been my lifesaver, staff are very helpful too

Submitted Feb. 27, 2018

Dennis doesn't always make you feel particularly listened to - he'll go on these long and excessively detailed explanations of things without listening to see if it's really the information that you need or that you're asking for. This can be frustrating, though I think it's a style that's possibly more irritating for those who suffer from ADHD - so there's the rub. But in saying that, Dennis is really knowledgable about ADHD and coping strategies, and on a whole I found his coaching really useful when I saw him a few years back. I found the admin staff don't offer particularly welcoming customer service, often felt like I was intruding and they would feel quite brusque and impatient whenever I called or asked questions.

Submitted July 19, 2017

Absolute cowboy without compassion or awareness of human suffering. He treated my late husband for depression. Sadly Shums 'whim' was to break my husbands depression with massive amounts of medication which the chemist often questioned. Shum was cold when I saw him after my husband suicided under his "care" Is Shum even qualified? Is he a racist who doesn't like Australians? I suspect so. Another review mentioned hes a scam. Do you're own research and please avoid this man if you value you're life. He hands out dexamphetamines like lollies. Shum is smug, cold, and calculating. An irresponsible, inadequate doctor. He gives patronizing answers to questions and ignores deep issues by dismissing them as bigotry. My husband might still be alive if he had been under the care of a responsible practioner.

Submitted June 28, 2017

Initially helpful , BUT keep spending 260 dollars a session to hear him answer a question for half hour that required a 30 second answer. He seems to love your money, doesn't listen well. has helped with prescription and has good knowledge of ADD.

Submitted Oct. 8, 2016