Dr. Santosh Arjun Agnani, MD

Over several years I saw ten psychiatrists who did not help me. When I first met Dr. Agnani, he understood my condition and affectively treated it for over ten years. He is very compassionate towards his patients. .

Very compassionate. Very knowledgeable with a good sense of humor too. He helped my husband with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and included me too so we got well together.

This is the best psychiatrist I've ever visited. He is very easy to talk to, and really does care.

Very good listener and assess realistic ethical manner.

I really like Dr. Agnani, I don't care what everyone else says about him that he is rude, etc..he has been on my side since when I walked in his door. He diagnosed me within 45 mins of my apt, and I felt finally someone understood what I had been going through. He got me on the right medicine, and continues to work with me, and is genuinely concerned for my well being. Give him a chance, he is a good doctor!!

He is one of those pill-pushing psychiatrists. He makes me visit him every 3 months, asks me the 10 required questions, then scoots me right out the door to make room for the next cash cow. I have to pay $100+ for a 5-minute appointment; it's absolutely ridiculous. His bedside manner is cold, he didn't offer any solutions when I mentioned that I might want to change medications, and he has made sexist comments in my presence. I only go to him because he's one of the very few psychiatrists that takes my insurance in the area. See someone else if possible.

Dr. Agnani is extremely smart and has the current knowledge of the way the brain and the mind work. He is able to pull the two together for clarity of thought and behavior. He has taken time to get to know me and my needs. I appreciate his dedication and commitment to this field and to me as a person.

-Bills insurance for more time than he actually spends (see below) -Does not seem to remember even my basic history from visit to visit (or review my chart prior) -Does not seem to practice, or be well-versed in evidence-based medicine or titration schedules for depression (did not seem to use or practice APA recommended practice guidelines), perhaps because he completed his education in India and is less familiar -Did not complete a thorough assessment, perhaps because he was 40 minutes late and spent 20 minutes conducting and intake and assessment for which he billed insurance for a full hour. -Appears irritated when I ask questions abut my care or try to make suggestions--does not seem to practice patient-centered care or shared decision-making, perhaps because it would take more that 5 minutes to conduct an follow-up appointment.

Very unprofessional, rude, interrupts, doesn't listen, doesn't care about patients at all. Answers cell phone during sessions but not when you call the urgent line. Tries to get patients in and out of the office as soon as possible. Incredibly condescending. I want to help people to not have to go through the same thing I did when it comes to their medical care.

At a time when I really needed help and a meeting with at least a decent psychiatrist, I was thrilled when I finally found one that took my insurance and was available. But there's a reason that Dr. Agnani had open slots. He is awful. He is cold, judgmental, and barely spends 15 minutes with you before he sends you out the door. Every other doctor that I've seen spent at least 90 minutes with me to figure out how I was feeling, what I needed, etc. He does not care at all, even a little, and he doesn't hide it. He was so terrible that I was taken to the hospital for a suicide attempt THAT NIGHT after seeing him. He should lose his license.

Misdiagnosed me with Bipolar and put me on abilify for a very long time. Later saw a much better medical professional who said my diagnosis was crap and the meds contributed two years of weight gain (a common side effect in adolescents). I gained over 150 lbs and went from being underweight to obese. This later aggravated a genetic health condition noted in my family history that is nearly impossible to manage while obese. My "good" psychiatrist said I showed no signs of bipolar disorder and couldn't understand why I was given that diagnosis. Now I'm taking the right meds, but still 100 lbs more than what I was when I started. Was a runner before this mess, now I'm back doing half marathons, but what id give for those years back. This man jumped to conclusions (perhaps due to his stash of pharmaceutical company issued abilify samples in his closet?) and I discourage anyone from seeing him.

Dr. Agnani has been a good fit for me at least over the past six years. I see him every 3 to 4 months for mild bipolar disorder. I was on zyprexa when I started seeing him and it was causing weight gain and other problems that my previous doctor was somewhat indifferent about. It should have only been used temporarily but I was taking it regularly. He prescribed Geodon which I've been on since. Plus I lost, 30-50 pounds after switching. My appointments aren't long 15 min. or so but usually they are efficient enough that my needs are met. Plus he's usually available by phone when needed.

Dr. Agnani has been a good fit for me at least over the past six years. I see him every 3 to 4 months for mild bipolar disorder. I was on zyprexa when I started seeing him and it was causing weight gain and other problems that my previous doctor was somewhat indifferent about. It should have only been used temporarily but I was taking it regularly. He prescribed Geodon which I've been on since. Plus I lost, 30-50 pounds after switching. My appointments aren't long 15 min. or so but usually they are efficient enough that my needs are met. Plus he's usually available by phone when needed.

Dr. Agnani is an independent diagnostician. He doesn't just accept the diagnosis or medicines that other doctors have prescribed without really looking at life variables and whether it is depression or ADD or if a lot of things are just hitting the fan at once. I felt he listened carefully and with compassion. I like him. I recommended him to a colleague who was having a rough go. She didn't have to wait 2 months to get an appointment, either.

I have seen Agnani once and I am not going back. I have been diagnosed previously, by several different therapists and psychiatrists with PTSD and a dissociative disorder, but he didn't agree with their diagnoses. He told me that I am borderline (I have been told by my therapist, more than once, that I am not)and told me to read a book on it and see if it sounds familiar. He said he doesn't normally make a diagnosis on the first visit but he did in my case but as he gets to know me, he could change his mind. I was not allowed to explain my answers and therefore he had no context for them. He wants it to be borderline and so that's what he's going with. He also made his diagnosis based on behaviors that I haven't done in 30 years. He kept repeating that psychiatry is an exact science and psychotherapy is not, therefore he is right and the therapist I have been seeing for years is wrong.I should have listened to the other reviews and never seen him. I am still ticked.

He starts out therapy with complete attention then as you are an established patient he does not seem to look at chart until you arrive in office forgetting parts of your specail needs. Hard for head injury patients to understand.

In 2004 during a crises, I was referred to Dr. Agnani by Fairfax hospital for treatment of depression. The first time he saw me, he diagnosed me with OCD, and I realized that I'd been fighting that my whole life. He successfully treated me for both and I've been so much happier ever since. When I started on the meds, he had me call him on his cell phone between office visits to let him know how I was doing. He always told me that I could call him on his cell anytime day or night if I had any problems.

I have been seeing Dr. Agnani for about 2 years. His manner is abrupt and clipped. He is intimidating and rude. My last visit with him WILL BE MY LAST VISIT WITH HIM. He was condescending and belittled me. He treats me like my problems (depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder) are all my fault, and criticizes me for them. I have acute anxiety disorder and panic attacks. I started to explain the traumas in my early life that caused my anxiety disorder, and he raised his voice in anger, "I don't care about that, I don't want to hear about that!" He told me to see a therapist, and he told me to have him/her "call me(Agnani) because you don't know what's wrong with you." He was very angry with me. I asked him twice if he was angry with me and he said no, yet he continued to talk 'down' to me in an angry manner. One time, he talked to me over the phone, and said, "How are you? Are you still worrying about EVERY LITTLE THING?" Our appointments are rushed, only 15 minutes, not enough time to develop any communication over the problems. The sofa across from his desk is old and broken down, and I am practically sitting on the floor with my chin resting on his desk -- another way of him looking down at me. He is a disgrace to his profession and should not be in psychiatry. He is harming me more than helping me.

Dr.Agnani is a pychairtrist who has a lack of understanding of medications and of disease states. He spends very little time with you in discussing options or explaining your illness. He is rash in judgement and does not keep up with the newest medical trials of medications. His knowledge is outdated, and he rushes to judgement.

Very difficult to get through for refills, slow to respond to phone messages if at all. Doesn't listen, feel rushed to get thru appt. General lack of investment. Would not recommend.