Understanding Bipolar Disorder

On this episode of the Mind Itself Podcast, John Whitbeck is joined by Dr. Sumit Anand, a Northern Virginian psychiatrist who has worked with John on multiple cases in the forensic realm. Together, John and Dr. Anand discuss the criteria of bipolar disorder, the differences between psychiatrists and psychologists, treatment plans, and how mental health plays into domestic court cases.

Bipolar disorder is a complicated disease that can severely affect your life, including in court, so comprehending the condition is critical. Listen to the episode to better understand Bipolar disorder and hear Dr. Anand share his insights on this disease and how it can be treated.

Listen to Dr. Anand discuss the pervasive effects of Bipolar disorder:

Guest Introduction (1:28)

Today, John is joined by Dr. Sumit Anand, a psychiatrist with a plethora of knowledge on Bipolar disorder. He shares his education history, forensic case background, work, and life in Virginia.

What Is A Psychiatrist (4:03)

Dr. Anand explains the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists. Although psychiatrists are considered medical doctors who can prescribe medication, both professions often work together in the mental health field.

When performing a diagnostic evaluation during a court case, psychiatrists pay more attention to the defendant’s medical history due to their training.

Defining Bipolar Disorder (8:13)

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by a depressive end and a hyper manic end. Dr. Anand explains the differences between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 and how various symptoms can affect a person’s life.

Dr. Anand also shares the difficulty in diagnosing a person with Bipolar disorder and how manic episodes are the most classic criteria they look for before giving someone this diagnosis. 

Treatment Plan (17:16)

Mood stabilizers, such as Lithium, can help neutralize mild Bipolar symptoms within a few days to a few weeks. However, if you are delusional or on the psychotic end of a manic episode, you may need to be hospitalized and more heavily treated to work through your symptoms.

In terms of domestic court cases, individuals committed to treatment may more easily maintain custody of their children. Ultimately, this is a lifelong disorder, and living with it depends on the patient’s proactiveness toward their mental health.

Final Thoughts (23:14)

Often, there is a trend toward either under-diagnosing or over-diagnosing Bipolar disorder, especially as the disease becomes more visible to the public. To combat this, Dr. Anand stresses the importance of treating this condition respectfully and being very careful about the criteria used to diagnose a patient.

If you’d like to contact Dr. Sumit Anand, please call (703) 723-2999.