It is my opinion based on my education, training and experience, as well as from my review of plaintiff’s medical records, that defendant’s belief that plaintiff suffered from bipolar disorder in this case was reasonable given the fact that she carried that diagnosis from her earlier admission. She also described symptoms during her visits both early on and later in treatment that were consistent with manic episodes. Thus, it was reasonable for defendant to believe she was suffering from bipolar disorder.

It is also my opinion, based on my education, training and experience, as well as my review of plaintiff’s medical records, that there was no breach in the standard of care. He was not negligent in his care and treatment. He properly assessed, examined and treated her. He appropriately treated her for her working bipolar diagnosis with supportive visits and medications. He properly monitored the medication regimen that he ordered for her and changed the medications in response to her symptoms. Additionally, the records show that in many instances, plaintiff took more medications than she was prescribed, and was taking excessive amounts of Xanax during the time he was treating her. Defendant responded properly and within the standard of care by discontinuing her Xanax and prescribing her chlordiazepoxide instead because there was less chance of misuse.

Furthermore, he refused her requests to increase her medications. Defendant also warned plaintiff to cease her recreational drug usage and discussed this with her family.

It is further my opinion, based on my education, training and experience, as well as my review of plaintiff’s medical records, that to a reasonable degree of medical probability, no negligent act or omission by defendant led to any injury claimed.