Dr. Patton Vanmeter Nickell, MD

Long story short, he misdiagnosed me years ago and prescribed meds for the diagnosis. I suffered severe side effects as a result and instead of considering it to be a side effect, he just prescribed new meds for each of the new symptoms. I communicated each time that I felt it was the medicine and he didn’t listen. I eventually was stopped by my pharmacist who advised me to use the scripts with caution as they did not recommend them in the doses/combinations I was prescribed. That pharmacist saved my life. That was the first time someone validated to me that I could actually be experiencing side effects and NOT psychosis. Unfortunately, I trusted the doctor at that time and discounted what the pharmacist said until that same week after taking the medicine she warned me about, I experienced the worst side effect up to that point. It was then that I remembered what the pharmacist said and it all made sense. Flash forward, I got a new doctor, weaned myself off his disaster cocktail and got my life back! I was told by several medical professionals that I had been misdiagnosed and I have been living symptom free for decades. I felt compelled to write this review upon reading the other bad reviewers who experienced something similar. How many more of us could there be?

He has cared for me in excess of 20YRs, I have multiple major disabilities, he understands my total health picture. I have complete trust in him.

I was a patient of Dr Van Nickell for several years. Left him several months ago when I realized that every time I discussed anything different he’d prescribe another medication. It took me several months to get off these meds seeing a new doctor, who was pretty shocked I was on 6 meds most to counteract side effects of other meds. Last week I met someone who worked with Dr Nickell. She actually admitted he was a “narc” in the sense of completely overprescribing medications. I asked why she didn’t report him and she said, “he’s the department head and we’re all afraid to say anything”. She also admitted Dr Nickell was “in the pocket of the drug companies.” Meeting her prompted me to write this review. Surely I too would be afraid to report Dr Nickell. But hopefully this review will help others get a different doctor and off of the excessive meds he prescribes his patients. Separately his bedside manner was poor- all he wanted to do was talk about medications. Perhaps I now know why. He is very intelligent but looking back on my years seeing Dr Nickell it was just all about drugs and more drugs. Now, I’m feeling much better with just low dosages of two medications for bipolar II - and no side effects.

He frequently cancelled appointments due to being busy with other obligations. Difficult to reschedule. But don't point this out or express your concern. If you do his kind, caring, funny , smiling and compassionate manner ends in a flash of anger that comes to the surface, then he catches himself. He is very controlled and controlling.

Dr. Nickel is an incredible Psychiatrist . Appointments are difficult to schedule (long wait )

A caring and empathetic Dr. where I never feel as though he doesn't have time for me. He is an outstanding health care provider.

All of the characteritics noted above immediately instilled a comfort. level and rapport with Dr, Nickel. I cannot say enough positive attributes for this practioner. Be prepared for candor, which is sommething I actually prefer. Dr. Nickel is at the top of his game in understanding, knowledge, diagnostics and application. I would highly recommend Dr. Nickel.

I have rarely, maybe upon my first visit 2 years ago, been asked to talk about how I am doing. My visits are always about how the drugs are doing. Then after prescribing them and consequently my becoming depenent on them, I get treated as though I were the one who asked for the drugs in the first place.

During my last two years in therapy with him, he has been extremely professional, caring and thorough in helping me understand my problems. He allowe ...