I logged in to write a review of Dr. Abbott today because I'm approaching the ninth anniversary of my last suicide attempt, and not coincidentally, my ninth year of working with Dr. Abbott. As I've been packing to move in with my partner, I've been taking stock of my life, and of my gratitude, in particular to Dr. Abbott for both saving my life and making my life a joy to live.
I was surprised to see Kay W.'s review and actually laughed when I read it because she couldn't possibly have described a person more opposite of Dr. Abbott. Although we didn't know this nine years ago, my drug metabolization is downright wacky, and I was fortunate that Dr. Abbott was conservative and precise with her prescribing. I have a physical disability for which doctors always try to prescribe muscle relaxants and narcotics, and I've been deeply lucky to have Dr. Abbott advocate for other solutions on my behalf, like physical therapy and non-narcotic pain killers.
Dr. Abbott was also the first psychiatrist I encountered who didn't treat me as if I had a behavioral problem. When I first started seeing her in my early twenties, I was really stunted and benefited from her expertise as a child and adolescent psychiatrist. She was able to communicate with me about my issues in a clear, insightful way, and handled my reactivity without taking it personally. In fact, each time I freaked out on her she took the opportunity to be a stable force in my life who would not give up on me even when I wanted to drive everyone away.
When I was a teen, my parents were told that I would probably have to be institutionalized for life. I think that or death really would have been my fate if I hadn't been referred to Dr. Abbott. Because of Dr. Abbott's care, I finished college; I have a job I love; supportive, loving relationships; a healthy sense of self worth; and I serve on boards for two nonprofits in my community. Dr. Abbott essentially took a feral child with complex trauma and a familial lineage of mental illness, and turned out an adult with actual coping skills and beautifully managed mental health.
It's funny to write a "review" of someone who has given you the chance to live a rich life, but here it is: There's no one like Dr. Abbott. If you are trying to find a psychiatrist for yourself or your child and you have lost hope, Dr. Abbott will be your ally in regaining that hope. She will care about you; she will believe in you. She will help you lead the life you deserve to live. read more