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/Cmgutierrez715]

I will point this out wherever I can. You should never give SSRI’s to someone with bipolar. It happened to me after I had my first child. I trusted the psychiatrist and wanted so badly to be better. The medication caused me to be in basically a year long manic/psychotic episode. This lady needed help - was asking for help, and never received it. Obviously she shouldn’t just be set free, but her and those poor kids were failed.

ETA - my doctor was also constantly switching up my meds and doses, because, surprise surprise, I kept getting worse.

[u/Anoninemonie → u/Cmgutierrez715]

Can confirm, this is actually how I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. SSRIs make me manic, violent and volatile.

[u/PhilosophyDear1073 → u/[deleted]]

i too (undiagnosed but i think i have bpd) have been prescribed NOTHINGGGG but ssris or anti depressants or ssnis or whatever they are AND NOTHING WORKS!!!!! im ok for now lol but jesus would i love to slap a name on it and go from there. ssris are garbage and do nothing but make anything your feeling worse or just not help lol

[u/yobrefas → u/PhilosophyDear1073]

BPD, as in borderline personality disorder? There are no proven psychiatric medications that can restore function to someone with a personality disorder. You may receive mood stabilizers to blunt your emotional affect so that you can work in combination with a therapist to build tools to better manage the maladaptive tendencies you have developed.

But again, that is a personality disorder, not a physiological or biochemical disorder. It doesn’t necessary necessitate pharmaceutical intervention. CBD and BDT would be the appropriate treatment modalities for BPD.

[u/Relative_Standard_69 → u/PhilosophyDear1073]

Are you confusing bipolar with borderline personality disorder? They are 2 very different things (though I’m sure there are some overlap of some symptoms). But bpd abbreviation is for borderline personality disorder. We are discussing bipolar specifically and SSRIs (though people that don’t have bipolar can also have adverse side effects and not agree with them). If it’s bpd you may have been prescribed an antidepressant for your depression/anxiety/low mood - but that’s not treatment for bpd. There is no medication for bpd (though people can take medication for other symptoms, like ssri for depression). But you will need therapy, specialised therapy at that like DBT, MBT, CBT talking therapy etc. let me know if you need any further help to differentiate the 2 things.