Dr. Denise McNamara, MD

While going through a difficult time with my personal life and it severely affecting my work, I went to Dr. McNamera seeking advice on possible changes to medication and getting documentation to support taking leave from work to address my issues. She proceeded to tell me that she “didn’t believe me” and that I was “faking it to get out of work”. And also that “no one here would be willing to help you”. Completely unacceptable and I’m filing a formal complaint with Kaiser. She really should be avoided and I don’t think is qualified for her position as a mental health professional based on my experience.

A close family member who had a history of bipolar disorder was a patient of Dr McNamara. Dr McNamara took the patient off a critical mood stabilizer, and prescribed an anti-depressant which is known to induce mania in roughly 35% of bi-polar patients, and is therefore entirely inappropriate. This change in medication catapulted the patient into a severe and prolonged manic episode, filled with rage and paranoia, which was extremely destructive…patient entirely wiped out the family’s considerable finances, resulted in her husband losing his job as he had to deal with the constant onslaught of delusional attacks and threats while being forced out of the family home and taking care of their 2 young daughters. Husband filed for divorce in order to get a court protective order, something he would not otherwise have done. This was a grievous and shocking error and has caused immense harm to all concerned. Patient finally emerged from the mania, devastated by the damage caused.

She repeatedly told me how many other people had bigger problems than me, asked me what it was I wanted, and recorded many things incorrectly in my medical record. I was in a very vulnerable place in my life, and needed someone who would not belittle or try to make me responsible for medical decisions I could not understand.