Dr. Marshall Paul Vance, MD

After ten years of poly substance abuse, I was dying. 127 pounds at 6'2" I realized I was lost in every sense with no hope or light to be found. With help of a great friend, I entered a 30 day treatment program. Promising to seek Psychiatric evaluation was a condition of completing the treatment program in good standing. By the grace of whatever higher power helps me in this life, Dr. Vance became my Psychiatrist-that was a little over eight years ago. Do you know how sometimes you think of someone and in your minds eye, they are smiling? THAT is Dr. Vance. Have you ever met someone whom you know without doubt, cares what happens to you? THAT is Dr. Vance. Is he easy in that he sugarcoat truths? Absolutely not, though if my idea of truth worked for me in the first place; I would not be alive to share what you are reading. It did not take long for Vance to make his initial diagnosis-Poly-substance abuse, a given really. After my mind started to clear, he was able to get a more accurate… idea of what was "really going on" with me, thus allowing him to be more specific. BiPolar and GAD replaced Poly-Substance abuse. I felt in the beginning of our sessions, that as I was undergoing Psychiatric treatment though also had a history of heavy addiction, there would be no way he would ever prescribe me any meds that were stronger than a Benadryl. Dr. Vance prescribes the medication(s) he feels will best work for each individual patient; Trust and personal responsibility are key factors too. Will you walk in and get Xanax?No, and if you feel that's what you need then I encourage you to seek help elsewhere-Then, good luck when it's time to withdrawal. Through the years, Vance has successfully encouraged me to further my education, join and actually enjoy a gym, read more, play more music, think more, worry less, find talents in myself I had no idea were there; the list goes on. Not every day is sunshine in anyone's life, and mine has had some dark times including unimaginable loss that I will not share here. The biggest difference now is that having had the healthy influence and care of Dr. Vance with a lot of work on my end, I have been able to cope when dark times come without self destructing. Bipolar FOR ME, not everyone, is a life of ups and downs. I am alright with some ups and downs. I am no longer slave to those fluctuations. Now, I am able to hold tight and enjoy the ride; learning, laughing, feeling but NOT suffering needlessly along the way. I have, and would again, recommend Dr. Vance to anyone suffering from mental illness. If a prospective patient is self aware, they may benefit by attempting to understand that a pill does not make it all go away. Some meds can help some people, they are vital in my care; but there is no magic cure or Dr. Vance would have shared it with me already! I'm a grateful patient who looks forward to a conversation with a man I respect. I have been equipped with tools that will last my lifetime.

Dr. Vance is the best Psychiatrist I have met. Professional with good bedside manner.