This case involves a mother in her twenties who was being treated for seven years by the same psychiatrist for paranoid schizophrenia and psychosis. The patient had been stabilized on an antipsychotic for 5 years with no episodes. The treating psychiatrist then left the state, leaving the patient’s care under a new provider. In the months after the new individual took over the care of the patient, he felt that the patient was exhibiting signs of anxiety and paranoia. Without consulting the previous psychiatrist or another psychiatrist, the provider discontinued the antipsychotic with no taper and started the patient on another antipsychotic. Within one week of the medication change, the patient caused serious injuries to her child during a psychotic episode. An expert forensic psychiatrist to review the records and opine on how the care provided by the nurse practitioner could have impacted the patient’s behavior.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. What is your experience reviewing cases involving patients with histories of paranoid schizophrenia and psychosis?
2. Are you familiar with the effects of discontinuing antipsychotic medication without tapering?
Expert Witness Response E-063321
I am board certified in psychiatry and forensic psychiatry and I have been practicing psychiatry since 1996 and forensic psychiatry since 2005. I am a professor of psychiatry and neurology and I teach medical students and psychiatry residents. I am also licensed to practice and currently work in a private practice in an east coast state. I am very familiar with the effects of discontinuing antipsychotic medications and relapse of psychosis as well as switching strategies for antipsychotics and tapering schedules. I have reviewed similar cases and treated 1000+ cases of schizophrenia and related disorders.
About the author
Victoria Negron
Victoria Negron has extensive experience in journalism and thought leadership in the legal space, with a background crafting content, whitepapers, webinars, and current event articles pertaining to the role of expert witnesses in complex litigation matters. She is a skilled professional specializing in B2B product marketing and content marketing. Currently, she serves as an Enterprise Product Marketing Manager at Postman, and previously held the position of Technical Product Marketing Manager at Palantir Technologies, where she developed her skills in launch strategies, go-to-market strategy, and competitive analysis.
Her expertise in content marketing was further refined during her tenure at the Expert Institute, where she progressed from a Marketing Writer to Senior Content Marketing Manager, and eventually to Associate Director of Content & Product Marketing. In these roles, she honed her abilities in digital marketing, SEO, content strategy, and thought leadership.
Educationally, Victoria holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Art, and Hispanic Studies from Hamilton College. Her diverse educational background and professional experience have equipped her with a robust skill set in product marketing, content development, and strategic marketing initiatives.
