Vijayakumars Clinic, Santhome

Right now, I am trying to connect to him.

But he has been taking care of me since 1980 November/December. His outstanding qualities as I perceive are (i) ability to establish connect with your previous visit (regardless of time gap) seamlessly (ii) allowing a free flow of torrential outpouring from the patient until he reaches a conclusion (iii) apart from medicines and therapies, he also gives you a regimen of meditation or simple exercises to the extent needed....

Above all, i have seen him as a caring and loving mentor during nearly 4 decades of our relationship. Moreover, at any point of time, his fees for consultation and therapies have remained less than that charged by his illustrious peers. Thus he has kept himself accessible to the lower middle end class of the society.

During this long association, I have gone through several accomplishments and periods of turbulence as well. It was only from 1994-95 when I started taking his medicines in complete faith and without stopping them. I have been a normal person since then except for the medicines I take religiously. Geographical migration, work-related responsibilities and stress and career changes, not all of them at my choice, have all been kept in abeyance thanks to Dr. Vijayakumar's mentorship and medicines.

If my praise for him sounds unabashed or exaggerated, I am happy that whatever I have said about him is an understatement.

Underneath the challenging role of a psychiatrist lies a warm and caring person who is value-based and compassionate.

I would not recommend Dr. S. Vijayakumar as a psychiatrist. When my original diagnosis as a student in the USA was Paranoid Schizophrenia and when I consulted Dr. S. Vijayakumar in Chennai he *** ** **** *** ********** *** prescribed a slew of medications for depression with insufficient dosage of anti- psychotics ****** ** **** ** ********* ****** ********** He kept me dependent on daily consultations for a year, and since my schizophrenia was not treated I had to see him every day in the hope of finding relief and he charged a fat sum of money for daily consultations. I went back to the USA taking his inappropriate medications and suffered from psychotic symptoms which were untreated by the insufficient anti psychotics that he had prescribed. Ultimately I had to return to India unable to bear my psychotic condition.

**** * ***** *** ** ** ********* *** ************* ** **** **** * ** ***** **** ** *** *** ******* ** ********** ** *** *** ***** ** *** ******** **** ********* **** ********** ******** *********** ** **** *** **** ******** ** *** *** ***** ** **** ** *** **** *** *** ************ ******After my second return from the USA I consulted another reputed psychiatrist in Chennai *** *** ** ** * **** ************* **** ***** ******* ** ****** **** ** ***** *** ** *** ******** ** **** *** ****** * **** ** ** ******** ** *** ** *** ******* ****** ***** ***** ****** ****** *** ** ************ ** ** *** ** ******* *************** ************

This doctor was aware before I met him that I was looking for a professional who would hear me out fully before rushing to diagnose. When I met him, the first thing he did was make fun of me for wanting to be heard out. He laughed at me and patronizingly said that he was willing to listen to me for hours and hours. After this, though I tried to say everything that I had wanted to say, my head was all messed up and I kept self-editing. I felt like I was wasting his time so I shared only portions of my thoughts. He rushed me off to get a few assessments and then prescribed some meds. He said he didn't need to hear me speak for 30 hours when he knows what the issue is within 30 minutes. I then told him multiple times that I wasn't comfortable taking those meds because I wasn't confident that I'd answered the assessments honestly. I asked if I could get attend a few sessions with a counsellor first till I felt confident that I had been honest and shared everything. He refused to hear me out and said I HAD to take the meds. I asked him for how long I would be taking those particular pills and he said that once I took them, they'd help me so much that I wouldn't ask to be taken off them. He said they'd help me realise "what I had done to my life for the past few years".My visit with him made me feel really invalidated. I had already told him that I have a lot of regrets and that I find it hard to leave those behind and start thinking positive, helpful thoughts. To hear from him that he perceived me as someone who wants to talk a lotunnecessarily and as someone who doesn't realise she has wasted years of her life....it was really hurtful.I wish I had not met him. It was a painful experience and I would not recommend it to anyone.

The doctor quickly understood the problem and clearly explained it. He sought and obtained concurrence of stake holders for proposed treatment. Very cool doctor, professional and patient. Had to wait despite having appointment and clinical psychologist was leaving for the day - had to intercept and engage her so that treatment can be started. Better coordination is indicated. Overall very good experience

Empathy played a big role in helping me deal with physical and mental issues. Being able to match physical trauma with alcohol and loneliness and addressing the issue holistically helped me first understand and then start dealing with it.

I am very happy all doctor very kindly my problem give tha good solution value of money I am appreciate doctor very friendliness

The doctor was very polite and gave an effective advice and suggestion towards anxiety and it was very much satisfactory for me

I'm very happy to share my experience with the doctor's treatment. It was very good and so helpful. He treats every patients kindly with soft words. Also he guides us very well to take the tablets properly. My life s getting better now.

Nice to meet you doctor. Had a wonderful visit. Thanks for your patient and treated me well. Kept calm and analysised well.

Good experience, took time to listen, and felt like he was a professional. The only problem was time, was called in close 45 mins after scheduled appointment