Dr. Jacqueline Marie Amato, MD

Saw Dr.Amato when I was a child and the first thing she ever asked me was wether or not I was attracted to animals, following up with the comment of I have some freaks like that here. I was continuously misdiagnosed and way over medicated. She refused to take me off meds when I have severe side affects - attributing the problems to a brain tumor or the like. Never once were trauma disorders even concidered - I was told on multiple occasions that I was making up things that affected me then and that I was delusional. I had to fight multiple false psychotic disorders and was forced to take unnecessary anti-psychotics which lead to even more issues. When the medications for the non existent psychotic disorders only made my mental health worse - I was told in no uncertain terms by Dr.Amato that I was "a lost cause" and she gave me the timeline of about 6 months before she was convinced I would end my own life. I was about 16 at this point. I am 22 now and still in intensive treatment,… having to deal with the repercussions of the way Dr.Amato caused my psyche and my medical history so much severe damage. I firmly believe it would have been better if I never saw her in the first place. To anyone even considering seeing Dr.Amato - I know Southern Oregon dosent have many options for psychiatry, but you will be better off with practically ANYONE ELSE. The only good thing I ever received from Dr. Amato's practice in the approximately 4 years I saw her, was the occasional privilege of getting to pet her very sweet and cute dog.

I was heavily over medicated by her as a child, causing excessive weight gain and psychotic features which were not present prior, such as hearing voices and obsessively wedging my teeth out with pencils. She got me up to 250lbs at the age of 8, most likely due to abilify, and then continued to put me on pill after pill until I was nearly catatonic, eventually using ADHD medications as an attempt to counteract the negative interactions from everything else, instead of ever TAKING ME OFF any of the meds that weren't working. I can't remember the whole peroid of my life from when I was 8 to when I was 11, which seems to be when I stopped taking meds one day. I lost the weight, regained spacial awareness, and haven't been on medication since. I am now 25 years old, and happy as heck.

She has helped me immensely and provided an accurate diagnosis enabling correct treatment.

Jake treated my son 20 yrs ago. He is now a successful businessman and productive member of society. I thank God daily for leading us to this wonderful woman. We came to her with fear, frustration, despair, and little hope. Thank you, Dr. AMATO, for helping shape this child into a wonderful human being. My heart is full. We are forever indebted. Sincerely, The Robinsons

Dr. Amato, AKA “Jake”, treated my family members between 2001-2009, for both minor, and more complex issues. In addition, she saw several of my friends and their kids. Individually, and collectively, we got to know Jake well and we all loved her dearly. (Still do!) Dr. Amato helped get each of us through some significant crises in those years, and too many bumps to count. Once, in the days of less easily accessible electronic records, Dr. Amato took it upon herself to go into her office on a Sunday morning to look up my number and call to check on how my child was doing. She quickly and accurately assessed his condition, and made a surprisingly minor adjustment to his medication, which completely resolved the negative symptoms he’d been having and kept him out of the hospital. This is one of Dr. Amato’s most valuable skills. She understands how medications interact, and is able to make minor adjustments ie up on one, down on another, working them like a puzzle until they’re exactly… right. Customized for that specific individual. Sometimes, it took awhile to get it “just right”, but then-! It was. And we were amazed. The only downside we experienced was that when Jake left, no other psychiatrist could replicate her med genius. In regards to Dr Amato’s negative reviews, I’d like to offer a different perspective on these issues and some potential insight. They’re nearly identical complaints I’ve heard before, which, seem to originate from people’s biases and unrealistic expectations, rather than Jake’s clinical skills—or lack thereof. First, Dr. Amato is from the east coast, and the reviewers are from the west coast, specifically Oregon. Vastly different pace. Jake thinks, speaks and acts quickly, and this can be misinterpreted as rude, abrupt, or done too quick to be valid. But if you question her, she has accurately assessed the situation, she has clear reasoning, she’s zeroed in on the appropriate method to arrive at the goal, and expressed it concisely. If in doubt, ask her questions because she has answers. Second, THERE IS NO MAGIC PILL. It’s not one size fits all. It often takes a try or two, or more, to get the right med, or the right combo of meds that balances therapeutic benefits vs side effects. Also, reaching therapeutic levels usually takes time. Days, or even weeks. Many people give up too soon. We’ve found that, in most cases, staying the course through the rocky early days of a med changes and adjustments, almost always pays off in long-term stability. Dr Amato is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist and neurologist. She knows her stuff. Keep her informed, but trust her. If you hang in there with her, she’s going to get you to the other side. Third, Dr Amato has a bit of a reputation for overdiagnosing people with bipolar. It may or may not be true, and I’ve occasionally disagreed with her. (Then again, unlike Jake, *I* am *not* a psychiatrist, who interned at Johns Hopkins, so what do I know?!) Dr Amato used to say: “I don’t care if you call it ‘Green Cheese in the Moon Disease’. You treat the symptoms, not the label.” Whatever label Jake puts on you, she’s going address the symptoms. And, as previously explained, she’s genius at that. Fourth, overly medicating. Medication doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Dr Amato isn’t a mind reader, or an authoritarian dictator. If you’re experiencing negative symptoms or side-effects, communicate with her and work it out together. In other words, see “Second” above. Dr. Amato isn’t only a doctor though, she’s a caring, compassionate human being. Our friends and families built mutual trust and respect with Jake, and she was there for us when we needed her. So, if Dr, Amato is in your community, you lucky dogs, go see her! She’s fabulous!

Excellent diagnostician. Dr. Amati was able to quickly identify what my son was struggling with, and knew what to prescribe. This was welcome after having spent years with MDs who randomly prescribed meds, and psychologists who spent many hours of therapy with no results...just talking.

Spoke too fast, didn't consult chart, recommended exercise for patient with fibromyalgia, no apparent compassion.

Dr. Amato has always been great. She is very quick & thorough. I never had to wait in the waiting room for more than 5min. She was very personable with my son. He grew very attached to her. I could call her any time of day or night & get help for my son. There was one time she called me while on vacation and did a phone consult to help figure out what was going on with my son.

Amato is consistent and honest. She always treated me like an individual (versus so many doctors that treat patients like a number). I was not easy to treat, and she didn't give up/shuffle me off to someone else, but rather kept trying until we found a solution that worked for me. She truly advocates/fights for her patients. My family and I are eternally grateful for her patient care - I highly recommend her!

Dr. Amato over-medicated me to the fullest extent. I had severe side effects that included loss of memory, rash, itching, insomnia,& ticks. I lost two jobs during the month she was 'Treating' me. When I attempted to pull myself off all 3 medications she had me taking, she threatened to force blood tests on me to check whether or not I was following the pill regime. She also told me I would die without these medications. Since 2007, when I titrated myself off the meds I have been quite successful. I am currently in Graduate school and even finished my UnderGrad degree with departmental Honor's. Dr. Amato is a profit driven danger to her patients & almost ruined my life. She's a psychiatrist suffering from several disorders ~ she admitted to another patient of hers that she is herself BiPolar & is on medication as well. No wonder she believes everyone is BiPolor, misery loves company.