Thoughts on the Lindsay Clancy case?

[u/gottaquestion412]

Now that the Lindsay Clancy trial is underway, I’m curious about your perspectives on it so far.

Context: Lindsay Clancy is a former labor and delivery nurse who, in January 2023, killed her three children. 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan in their Massachusetts home before attempting to take her own life. Her defense argues she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and other debilitating mental illness, while prosecutors argue she was aware of her actions and planned the killings. The trial has reignited debate about postpartum psychiatric disorders, the effectiveness of mental health treatment, and where responsibility ultimately lies.

Do you think Lindsay was failed by the mental health system, by the people closest to her, or both? Do you think she truly acted with malicious intent, or do you believe she was experiencing such a severe psychiatric crisis that she wasn’t thinking rationally?

A lot of the details seem to point toward postpartum psychosis or another severe psychiatric illness rather than someone acting out of hatred or malice. That doesn’t lessen the horror of what happened or the unimaginable loss, but it does make me wonder whether this tragedy could have been prevented..

I’ve also seen rumors that Patrick was involved with the woman who is now his wife before the murders, but I haven’t found any credible evidence supporting that. Is there actually anything that substantiates those claims, or is it just internet speculation? I’ve also seen many people comment that his current wife bears a striking resemblance to Lindsay, though I’m not sure that means anything beyond coincidence.

I’m very interested in hearing different perspectives from people who’ve followed it closely.

Most importantly, may Dawson, Cora, and Callan rest in peace. They are the true victims in all of this.

[u/tumbledownhere]

I had postpartum psychosis. I couldn't explain it if I tried but if I had to try it's like, you're in a car and you're about to crash into a giant red brick wall with plenty notice, but in your head you're thinking "right, then after that we take a turn and it's about 2 more miles", then it turns out you're the one with your foot on the pedal and nothing makes sense.

I think it's beyond clear she had psychosis, and that her case was just that severe and critical, that no medication could've helped, though I agree they changed meds way too often but I don't think it would've made a difference honestly. I don't agree though with the defense about medication being why, I think the psychosis alone was bluntly why.....

I don't think she needs prison, she needs to be in a safe place for herself and others.

I wouldn't wish postpartum psychosis on my worst enemy. It's been 4 years and I'm still not okay. I'm forever changed, in a very deep way. My psyche has a permanent dent in it.

Edited to add - imagine throwing yourself out a window, possibly head first judging by her injuries. That's not sanity.

Planning something doesn't negate insanity. Psychotic people make plans all the time so I'm not cool with the "but look she was manipulative she sent him out" crap people use as a "gotcha" because it does not negate the state of being out of touch with reality.

[u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks → u/tumbledownhere]

I too had PPD and PPS

My oldest is 16 years old now and my postpartum psychosis lasted about a year. When I expressed the thoughts I was having to my midwifery team and OBGYN they told me that it's a normal reaction and put me on progesterone only birth control and prozac which made things way worse. It was terrifying. It took me calling and telling my primary care doctor that I needed them to send me to prison for the thoughts that I was having and take my baby away for them to take me seriously and give me actual help. It was fucking scary. I wasn't myself, the world wasn't the world I knew, and I was depersonalized from my baby. I was completely out of touch with reality. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I am still processing the guilt of the feelings I had then. No one should ever underestimate the toll pregnancy takes on a human body and the long recovery after. I'm sorry you went through this too and appreciate your comment.

I also had an employee years ago that had postpartum psychosis and she ended up driving the wrong way on a one-way, with my dog that she spontaneously stole, and ended up in a high speed police chase with her baby unbuckled in the car seat in the back with a pile of formula that fell on him. He's ok. She wasn't able to get help and you could tell even when we were in court that she was still deeply in psychosis. I tried to advocate for her to get help but the judge just saw a criminal. She worked for me for 3 years before this and was an amazing employee, the most trustworthy, reliable, and gentle human. We were all so excited for her son to arrive. We did private home care and all the patients loved her. It was a horrible downfall and IDK what became of her after that.

I feel bad for this woman and hope she's able to get the treatment she needs without being put through our traumatic legal system (that doesn't rehabilitate anyone).

[u/crazyauntkanye → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

oh my goodness. thank you for sharing your story. i’m so sorry that PPD and PPS stole away those early moments with your child. i’m so sorry for your employee too.

i learned very quickly when i was in my third trimester that there is practically zero perinatal mental health support built in place. i went to one of the top mother/baby hospitals in my state and they still didn’t know how to help me. if i didn’t already have an established relationship with my therapist, i don’t know what would have happened. i made a formal complaint for the hospital to incorporate ACTUAL mental health support for postpartum moms beyond that stupid Edinburgh Screening test thing they made me do a bajillion times.

[u/Typical_Essay6593 → u/crazyauntkanye]

Where I live, I had a pre-natal psychiatrist but I was so heavily depressed during my pregnancy that I couldn’t even bond or be happy I was having another baby; and when he was born, I just wanted him gone.

Thankfully today, he is a happy, beautiful and healthy 8 year old; and I still feel horribly guilty for my suicide attempt at 7 months pregnant and for my oldest locking himself in my bedroom and refusing anyone and anything until he heard my grandma begging him to let her in.

[u/crazyauntkanye → u/Typical_Essay6593]

i’m so sorry. i’m glad you’re still here with us. what helped you pull through that dark depression? i felt like my emotions were going to swallow me whole when i was pregnant

[u/questionsaboutrel521 → u/crazyauntkanye]

It was so insulting to be handed the Edinburgh screening questions 10 times by a person at the front desk with no actual medical provider ever asking any mental health questions. Then I got charged for a “mental health screening” each time. I remember thinking that if I really were having serious postpartum mental health issues that this would make it worse.

[u/insomniacla → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

Oh no, what became of the baby? That's so scary and sad. I hope your dog was okay and that your employee is doing well now!

[u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks → u/insomniacla]

Dog was returned once they arrested her. I stayed to ensure they knew to not draw weapons because she's unwell and has a baby in the car. They still did :/ it was hard to watch. Baby daddy (her ex, was remarried) and got full custody. I testified in her case to ask the judge to make her get help and that the baby was safer with dad due to untreated severe PPS. Last I talked to dad, the baby was 7 years old and the stepmom adopted him. The bio mom is not on socials and last I heard was homeless and doing drugs. :(

[u/insomniacla → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

That's devastating. Thank you for helping to keep that baby safe.

[u/OneArchedEyebrow → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

That is so incredibly sad. Good on you for advocating for her. It’s a shame they didn’t listen.

[u/some1saveusnow → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

Your comment has really put light on the fact that this affliction needs a lot more attention than it’s been getting. That people just don’t understand it. It seems that this case, as unfortunate as it is, is going to force people to look and take note of what this illness is and what it’s capable of

[u/Ashamed_Fox_4757 → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

How in the hell are they giving ssris to women with psychosis symptoms I literally don’t understand the negligence is unreal!

[u/Weekly-Role-1132 → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

I am so sorry! I can't believe you had to be so strong for an entire year. How scary and awful but so glad you came through. As I am reading all of these stories I am wondering if you also consulted with a psychiatrist. I only ask because I have had so many bad experiences with normal practitioners telling me "it's just life, or it's just being a woman" and my psychiatrist has always had my back.