Rebecca Jollotta

Rebecca Jollotta testified for the Commonwealth on Day 11 about her psychiatric treatment of Lindsay Clancy from November 29 through December 21, 2022, following a transfer from Julie Paul. She described three visits and frequent MyChart exchanges concerning insomnia, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, medication effects, and fears of benzodiazepine dependence. She said Lindsay communicated clearly and linearly, without observed psychosis during the visits discussed.

Jollotta described an evolving differential diagnosis rather than a settled bipolar diagnosis. Reported medication activation and sleeplessness without fatigue raised that possibility, although Lindsay did not meet diagnostic criteria at the December 6 visit. Later reports prompted concern for a mixed manic or hypomanic state and recommendations to increase Seroquel and hold Prozac. Improved sleep did not resolve depression or intrusive suicidal thoughts. Jollotta described referrals for partial hospitalization, discussion of emergency evaluation, and ultimately supplying a Seroquel taper despite concerns about support and monitoring.

On cross-examination, Kevin Reddington questioned her medication decisions and coordination with other providers. Jollotta acknowledged serious postpartum symptoms and persistent depression, along with gaps in her knowledge of outside assessments and treatment. She disputed receiving a call described in a Women and Infants note and corrected counsel's chronology of depression-screening scores. She said Lindsay had not reported hearing voices to her, while explaining that hallucinations were not universal among postpartum-psychosis patients she had treated.

On redirect, Jollotta confirmed that the CVS record listed no January 2023 prescriptions from her. She explained that her information about Women and Infants' recommendations came from Lindsay, not diagnostic records, and that colleagues remained available during her absence. She distinguished suicidal thoughts from a disclosed plan or intent, recalling a safety discussion with Patrick present. She said Lindsay never disclosed a suicidal plan or intent or thoughts of harming her children, and that their contacts had not raised concerns for postpartum psychosis. Reddington withdrew a recross question after an objection, and Jollotta was excused without answering it.