Mind Over Borders: An Indian Psychiatrist's True Tales from India to America's Prison System

In his memoir Mind Over Borders, Dr. Kalyana Battu takes readers on an unprecedented journey through the complexities of the human mind. With candid insights drawn from over four decades in the medical field, particularly in forensic psychiatry, Dr. Battu reveals the personal and professional struggles that shaped his career. From navigating the challenges of immigrating from India to the United States to the intense emotional and ethical dilemmas faced when treating violent criminals, his story is a testament to the perseverance required to heal not just bodies but minds. Each chapter uncovers the intimate stories of patients-individuals who, despite their criminal actions, are often not the monster's society perceives them to be. Dr. Battu's work, both in prisons and hospitals, brought him face-to-face with mental illness in its most extreme forms. These patients, each with a story to tell, forced him to question the boundaries between sanity and madness, healing and harm. His memoir provides an honest portrayal of the psychiatrist's struggle to balance duty with compassion and the life-altering consequences of his decisions. Beyond his professional work, Dr. Battu shares the human side of his journey: his transition into psychiatry, the ups and downs of family life, and the constant search for meaning beyond his career. This book is not only a glimpse into the world of forensic psychiatry but also a poignant reflection on life, duty, and the ever-present challenge of understanding the mind.

Forensic psychiatry; memoir; criminal psychology; mental illness; immigrant experience; ethical dilemmas; psychiatry.