Dr. Jeffrey Jay Rakofsky, MD

After 20 years of seeing various bipolar specialists, Dr. Rakofsky stands head and shoulders above any other doctor I've encountered. Thoughtful, kind, respectful, and exceptionally skilled in diagnosis and medication management, he treats the whole person, not just the illness. He contributes extensive research to Emory, giving him a profound expertise in the psychiatric conditions he treats. I trust him more than any other doctor I've ever known. You're in excellent hands if you're fortunate enough to have him as your doctor.

From what I am told he is good at pharmacology. But he gave me a very standard assessment, ignored the information of my therapist and gave me a very unreliable diagnosis. He really did not seem to care about patients; whether they come or go. It all seemed just a necessary waste of his time

Dr. Rakofsky ruined what could have been a time of recovery. I was assigned to him after entering Ketamine treatment and working with several other doctors (think tank) for Treatment-Resistant Major Depression. The ketamine could have been a life changer, however, Dr. R continued to change my medication week by week and misdiagnosed Bipolar I. I believe he was intimidated by my education in psychiatry. Regardless of my academic achievement he should have understood I was living with a mental illness that had been present for almost 20 years. Due to his poor pharmaceutical knowledge and throwing medications blindly he ruined any chance of the Ketamine continuing to be beneficial. The treatment team at Emory was my last straw of hope. I believe psychiatrist should be accountable for their actions when it leads to attempted or completed suicide. Due to being under his care I almost lost my battle with Depression. In addition to it being the wrong medication I gained over 40lbs… in 4 weeks. I was weighed twice a week for ketamine and the weight gain was a concern to my other physician yet Dr. R refuse to admit his mistakes. Weight gain while already depressed is not good! I still have been unable to lose weight regardless of effort and diet. Dr. R never listened and always felt he was the most brilliant person in the room. Please don't allow a friend or family member to be in his care.

Does not care about patients. Very rude to me and wasn't helpful with my illness