Mike T. from Pleasanton has written 33 reviews with a 1-star rating. The biggest number of his reviews are 1-star. Yelp is a great way for disgruntled people to use the site to ding whoever annoyed them that particular day.
My review is lengthy, because the story of finding Dr. Bloch is a year long journey.
Since I fervently believe the stigma regarding mental illness needs to be obliterated, I am not leaving anything out.
In August 2011, my husband dropped into a black pit of depression that lasted six months and required he sign documents swearing not to commit suicide. He did this with our general physician; with me; a few family members; and two very close friends. I couldn't stay home with him each and every day, because I was the only one generating income for our family. Every morning, I had to sit with the knowledge that I may come home and my husband would be dead. Despite the suicide contracts.
My husband was on medical leave for these six months, and we began the process of finding a psychiatrist for him. As most Americans know, finding mental help is an arduous, slow process. The first appointment I could get was in late September; my husband had to wait for over a month to even SEE a mental health care provider.
I dragged him to the appointment (he did not want to go but I ignored him -- I had to ignore him in order to save his life). The merry-go-round of trying various meds began. My husband felt better in the sense that he no longer wanted to commit suicide. We visited this particular psychiatrist for a year, and my husband never felt happy, or any emotion that you could describe as similar to happiness. The diagnosis (after 8 visits) was moderate to severe depression. But I knew this diagnosis was wrong. My husband was taking nothing BUT anti-depressant medication, and he still hated waking up every day. So, I began to research ADHD and depression because my spouse has Adult ADHD, which is usually co-morbid with another psychological issue, such as depression; bi-polar; or schizophrenia.
I stumbled across the list of symptoms for adults who suffer from Bipolar II disorder. My husband met every single symptom. I went online to the Mayo Clinic; Stanford; and other well-respected medical institutions. The conclusion was the same each time: my husband had approximately 90-95 percent of every symptom.
I also learned that individuals who have trouble finding the right course of treatment, or of being diagnosed correctly, should immediately locate a psychopharmacologist. This is a psychiatrist who specializes in pharmacology. They know everything there is to know about psych meds, how they interact with one another, the compounds/ingredients in every pill, etc.
There are only 3 psychopharmacologists in Northern California, and Dr. Bloch happens to be close to where we live. I did email Dr. Bloch as my initial point of contact. I laid out my husband's mental health history, the frustration he (and I) both felt regarding meds, and the suspicion he (and I) couldn't shake that something was "off" or wrong about the diagnosis he received.
I accompanied my husband to his first appointment, as his memory is faulty due to ADHD and him remembering hardly anything during his six-month crisis. Dr. Bloch asked my husband questions that were laser-sharp in their focus. I don't know how else to describe it. The psychiatrist would ask, "Do you feel the world would be better off without you?" but Dr. Bloch would ask, "Do you have moments when you feel depressed, and then moments when you feel less depressed, or perhaps no depression at all? How long do those moments last? How often do you experience them? Several times a day, a few hours a day, or something else?"
Okay, that's an example I am pulling from memory over 2 years ago. But I hope it shows how Dr. Bloch doesn't stop at asking you generic questions. Not only that, he diagnosed my husband ON HIS INITIAL VISIT that he did not suffer from moderate to severe depression. My husband has Bipolar II co-morbid with his ADHD. That same day, my husband called the psychiatrist and severed that relationship. I will never forgive that man for failing my husband, for failing me, and for continuing to endanger the life of the man I love.
Dr. Bloch has no staff. You talk to him and to him only. He prefers that his patients email him, but at your first appointment, HE GIVES YOU HIS PERSONAL CELL PHONE NUMBER if you have an emergency. Dr. Bloch is Olympic-level smart, and friendly and nice and has a sense of humor! Something most specialists do not possess.
I'm sure my review will make it more difficult for us to get appointments, but I don't care. Dr. Bloch saved my husband's life and our marriage. He is my personal god and I worship him. Visits are $175 and worth every damn penny. Please, if your story is similar to mine, do whatever it takes to see Dr. Bloch. Your money and time could change your life. read more