Dr. Neal Anzai, MD

Literally horrible, caused me so much trauma. Said numerous inappropriate things to me. This man has CPS and medical board reports against him. The only reason he is still practicing is because he has been in the field a long time. Overprescribed me medications, prescribed me meds I was allergic to, said inappropriate things about my body when I was a minor. Creepy, incompetent, horrific man. Don’t let him anywhere near your children.

I started my treatment with Dr. Anzai at the age of 15 back in 2005. As an adolescent, inpatient treatment can feel terrifying and that’s without mentioning trying to recover from Anorexia. Dr. Anzai always made me feel like what I needed to say was important. He never rushed the session, provided empathy and challenged my distortions in a sensitive manner. The care and knowledge from other treatment programs did not compare to the care provided by Anzai at Herrick. As an adult in the midst of her doctorate program, I am frequently feeling gratitude for my treatment at Herrick. Thank you, Dr. Anzai!

Dr. Anzai is the best doctor ever , he takes his time to understand the patient , and will truly help you like no other doctor i was lucky enough to have Dr. Anzai as mine.

Child’s physical & mental health deteriorated in his care at Herrick Hospital. They were admitted with ARFID, and ate regular meals on the outside before and even during the first few days at the hospital. My child was admitted for simple weight restoration because she was 10 pounds under the healthy BMI for her age & height. She was referred to Dr Anzai due to his supposedly stellar reviews of his help with Anorexic & Bulimic patients (even though my child was neither of those). In 2 weeks so far, my child’s vitals had declined, she began throwing up constantly and now her ARFID is worse because she is afraid of throwing up and nauseous all the time. She was placed on tube feeding (ng) due to being unable to keep anything down after 3rd day. And by end of 1st week had to have an IV placed to help lower her suddenly escalated heart rate. She was medicated by him with so many that can affect lowering blood pressure. I requested he cease those medications because her bp was consistently… low now and she began having severe dizzy spells in the morning, he agreed and then continued to give them to her despite that being a breech in CA Code of Regulations giving me authority to withdraw consent of medications at any time. I was forced to write my withdrawal of consent and give it to other staff to ensure his compliance with my legal rights. As many times as I voiced my concerns with the extreme protocol he was administering which saw my child’s health declining, he showed zero compassion for her as a patient and no regard for her actual well being or safety in his care. She is being treated like a number instead of a person because he insists on a “one-size fits all” attitude for weight gain that leads to severe forced over-feeding which has not been determined to be successful in cases of ARFID. When attempting to discuss the differences in ARFID and anorexia, he reverts to the stock answer that “ARFID is still a new diagnosis so there aren’t any treatment protocols developed for it yet”. That is not an excuse for failing to provide the Standard of Care that every patient deserves. I do not know about his ability to treat Anorexia or Bulimia with his “factory-style” protocol, however his treatment of ARFID is deplorable. ARFID sufferers should seek alternate placement as I’m now doing.

I was treated by Dr. Anzai and staff about 9 years ago for anorexia. I have suffered from it since I was 16 years old. I was hositalized for 10 weeks at Alta Bates Herrick Campus. I can truly say that aside from his and the staff's support it was mainly my desire to recover that helped me get on the road to recovery. Dr Anzai was frank and would push/challenge me to face my fears. I have been in remission from my EDO since being discharged from his program. I have 4 wonderful kids, that motivate me to fight my EDO. I can say their is no cure for an EDO, but there is a cure. It all depends on you whether you control it or IT controls you. Once you decide to take control, each day will be one closer to recovery. Trust me it's truly difficult, but remember you're worth it. Thanks Dr. Anzai!!

Excellent care....Exceptional above and beyond care Thank you

Dr. Anzai saved me from the abyss. He is empathetic, compassionate, intelligent but absolutely firm in his determination not to collude with the eating disorder. If you want to get down to the grit of the disorder, he is the doctor. Be prepared, as he is not for everyone. Those that want to waste time or prevaricate or make excuses should go elsewhere. Those that want to actually live a life free of a disorder that controls, manipulates and tells lies should give themselves over to the treatment team and trust them. They know what they are doing.

He may not tell you what you want to hear,but what you need to hear

Utterly useless old man

He treated my daughter in intensive outpatient for eating disorder. He is in a large academic-type facility, so don't expect greeting: you have to dial a phone in the lobby til someone gets you in. But that is irrelevant. He is an especially gifted doctor for dealing with a teenage girl in trouble who no one else can help. He has a kind but firm, no no-nonsense, approach. He was the first to keep my daughter from hijacking her own and family therapy with diversions like whimpering, shouting, running away, etc. Don't waste time looking for someone better. If you want your kid back start here - if he can't help I have no idea where to look...and I have spent years on this with my kid and he blows awat all others who tried.