Dr. Stephen Craig Olson, MD

Dr. Olson is a very knowledgeable, careful physician with a kind demeanor and reassuring bedside manner.

I found Dr. Olson to be cold and judgemental. He lacked ability to connect with me in any meaningful way. He contradicted himself several times during his assessment of me and became defensive and irritable when I questioned the contradictions. A self help book would have been more useful and far less frustrating.

I have spent six or so years under the guise of "schizoaffective disorder" because of some bad habits. Suffered major breakdown, got fired from a job, then was forced to accept SSI (which I am still on vie "stay of commitment," which the hospital pushed for) I'm telling you that I was suffering severe anxiety and yet it was still hard to get the medications for it. Was once told, point blank, to my face that medications are not "candy" and that I should not be taking any extra anyway (and I took them mainly for the purpose of feeling sedated, which helped my anxiety). As it turns out I have an amazing condition, almost completely unrelated to the "schizo" synopsis and I almost feel as if I was subjected to treatment solely for the purpose of research, I have also been aware of his numerous publications and research about meds, particularly anti-psychotics, which I happened to know that it is one of his specialties. So now I probably believe, that yes, this man is in charge of some… research department and is probably being paid heavy cash for his pharmaceutical "business." Do I feel like I have been studied: I know I have, I practically volunteered. I'm sure that my name is on many of these pieces of paper with the subjection of research on it (after all, I am an active participant *hint hint*) because that's easy to get away with on someone in such dire straights. Just remember that your rights are your own, and know one can subject you to anything so much as a blood test, unless there is absolute necessity for in (i.e. certain medical conditions calling for some close attention and promptness). He loves his money, no doubt about it.

Don't bother with this pompous gasbag. Dealing with this moron is an exercise in absurdity: Arrives late and leaves fast with not even a goodbye. Just gets up to go talk to someone and doesn't come back. Constantly tries to undermine my confidence. Always has a snyde remark. Unnecessarily antagonistic and abrupt. Uses everything I say against me. An all around knob end.

Dr. Olson has an excellent command of treatment options for people with difficult to treat dual diagnoses. A previous doctor told me "this is as good as it gets" despite my untreated symptoms and unacceptable side-effects. I was feeling hopeless until a researcher told me about Dr. Olson. Dr. Olson has in-depth, cutting edge knowledge of psychoneural pharmacology. He teaches, researches, and treats patients. He has been very helpful. He is a down-to-business kind of person (wants to know symptoms, previous treatments and side-effects). He also wants to know about the bigger picture in my life. He is a professional in his interactions. He treats me with respect. That's what I want from a doctor: Someone who has an excellent command of the field, focuses on treatment to improve the quality of my life and takes into account life-circumstances that affect my health.

After seeing Dr Olson from a referral, I would highly recommend patients going elsewhere. Very poor patient relationship as far as asking questions and then listening to any answers. Seemed to have his mind made up within 5 minutes that I needed a drug and nothing else. Very disappointed. Have since gone elsewhere and received the care that I actually needed. Advice for prospective new patients would be do some research on this doctor. He seems to have a history of trying to encourage new patients into drug trials that he oversees.

After taking my daughter to Dr. Olson I would highly encourage parents to look elsewhere for a psychiatrist more concerned with patient care and not possible research avenues. We were appalled that researching our daughter would even be a consideration.

Dr. Olson was the 4th doctor I consulted in 5 years for the same symptoms. He is the first to help me manage them so I can live a healthier life. My previous doctors (noted as Best Doctors in MN) offered far less effective treatment, were often dismissive of my symptoms, and conveyed an annoyingly superior and disrespectful attitude toward me. I had come to expect a long wait, impersonal treatment, lapses in follow-through and a snotty elitism as standard treatment from the last doctor. A friend encouraged me to set my sights higher and through research on my medical condition suggested I contact Dr. Olson. He was recommended because he is not only willing to work with patients with difficult-to-treat illnesses (and multiple health concerns) but he is also effective.Dr. Olson, in addition to his MD and certification as a psychiatrist, teaches Psychiatry at the U of MN, supervises residents, and has a PhD in psychopharmacology. This background gives him a depth of expertise in tried and… true treatments, cutting edge medicine, and the chemistry of prescription treatments (and how they interact). Dr. Olson isn't satisfied with treatments that don't address all the symptoms a patient presents. He does research to explore areas not in his wheelhouse and has referred me to experts in those health specialties to address those concerns. His follow-through has been superior. I no longer have top tier insurance yet he devotes the same amount of time, frequency of appointments, and care and respect toward me in his treatment he did when I had better coverage (and he was paid more). There has never been a question about whether he is willing to treat me even when I've had gaps in insurance. I've seen the U of MN receive bad press on medical research into new medications. I don't believe Dr. Olson is trying to support big Pharm at the expense of ANY patient. His concern, compassion, and acumen make him an excellent physician. Ive referred others to him and they, too have been refreshingly surprised by his respectful and successful treatments. As far as Im concerned, hes a keeper!

Only cares about researching his patients for drug studies that he is paid for by pharmaceutical companies.