Reviews of McCollum William E MD (Psychiatrist)

Emily Smith

I wish I could give this provider less than one star. He was borderline abusive and completely incapable of allowing me to have any authority over my body. After a severe mood swing correlating directly with post partum hormonal changes, which exacerbated my life long gonadal hormone imbalance (hyperandrogenism), he was unable to look outside of the treatment protocol for Bipolar Disorder. Intuitively, I was hesitant to start taking the toxic cocktail of 4+ meds this doctor wanted me to start all at once. When I returned for a second appt, foolishly so, I expressed to him my hesitation and lack of compliance and/or agreement with his plan. He scoffed and scolded me like a child, called me a “D minus” patient, and was your basic Megalomaniac doctor type. Please keep In mind that I am a Clinical Psychotherapist with a private practice in Fayetteville and over 7 years experience. With over 3,000 hours of employment experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting, 31 years experience in my Own body, and a ravenous appetite for any and all research related to the brain and mental health, I was disgusted by this providers INABILITY to acknowledge me as such. He literally would shake head ‘no’ in disagreement with me when I shared information about myself and how my body works. He laughed at me at times. And was overall belittling. Without ever checking my blood pressure, he prescribed me blood pressure meds to control My severe ADHD. I told him I have chronically Low blood pressure, which he dismissed and sent me home with blood pressure meds anyway. Trying to figure out anything that might help, despite my better judgment, I took the meds and was rendered inert. I was so sick that I couldn’t drive a car, walk without falling over, and couldn’t tolerate any type of sensory input. It was HELL! He prescribed me so many incorrect medications, my family and I call that period of our lives under this providers care as the “near death experience.” Never an apology or admission that he had been wrong. When I mentioned to him that I had consulted another psychiatrist colleague and friend, to discuss my concerns about this provider, he became so volatile - the reaction of someone driven by Ego most assuredly. This provider slammed the door after appts more than once, and told me that I “was not allowed to make changes to my medications without getting his permission first.” Sorry, but I refuse to sign over the authority over my own body when the meds given by provider are doing direct harm. Nice try! I refused to let this doctor physically swab the inside of my cheek for a genetic test. Something in my gut instinct put up a flag. I later interviewed several patients of his who confirmed at least once in their treatment, this provider insisted on doing a physical examination inside a body cavity, even when not related to psychiatry. Not the most disturbing part of my experience, but something was off and I found it worrisome that this was a varying trend with others. I terminated this provider and have since been going to see a wonderful provider in Lowell, AR who has absolutely returned my faith in this profession. The staff has been incredible and reassured me that I am NOT the first person who has come them after scary and harmful interactions with previous provider. Since then I have figured out precisely how to address underlying factors such as hormone imbalance, blood sugar, and thyroid that play a role in shifting moods and how to manage adhd beautifully. Please, do not expose yourself to this horrific treatment by McCollum. Truly the man needs so much therapy himself - it is clear he is in denial about how his unconscious need to be the All Important Expert has great potential for direct harm and incorrect diagnoses/treatment for his patients. Sincerely, someone who cares