My expectations have been exceeded by Dr. Buffington (and his staff), which is particularly meaningful for me personally as I was originally very nervous about making the appointment. I saw Dr. Buffington for the first time in order to treat a mental health issue that has plagued me since early childhood. Within the first month of having set an appointment with him, I was properly assessed, listened to, empathized with, and prescribed a medication that not only works but has been genuinely life-changing. He's been intentional about titration and monitoring dosage, and I felt that the provider trusted my experience as a client while simultaneously having a clear knowledge of the medical field. His competency in psychiatric care (and his referencing of recent studies) was encouraging coming from a clinic and medical professional who isn't specializing in psychiatry.
I was worried about getting treated because of typical concerns: taking medication (especially for the first time), being judged or treated pretentiously, not being diagnosed correctly, being brushed off, being rushed, not being heard-- most of which is an unfortunately common occurrence, even in my own community, regarding psychiatric concerns. I could not have been happier with my experience, and I hope the field continues to move in this direction overall-- minimizing mental health stigmas, respecting the competency of clients, avoiding condescension, practicing with well-informed professionalism, and genuinely empathizing.
I also would like to add that Dr. Buffington was able, through clinical assessments, addressing family history, and discussing current and past symptoms in-depth, to recognize quickly that I've been struggling with a moderate to severe form of ADHD, primarily inattentive. As a generally responsible, quiet, adult woman this condition has been overlooked my entire life despite my knowing I was struggling with abnormal symptoms and life challenges. It is particularly difficult for adults (especially women who are not hyperactive) to be properly treated, resulting in years of unnecessary suffering, especially if your symptoms include depression and anxiety as mine does. Now that we are monitoring and addressing it, my quality of life has increased substantially. I can't express my appreciation enough, and I hope that anyone else struggling like I was is able to receive the same quality of care and ultimately reach the level of enjoyment of life I am finally at.
