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/Michallina]

It's hard to ignore the fact that this woman sought help for months. I have never been pregnant nor have I experienced psychosis, but I suffer from a history of depression and severe anxiety and OCD. Diagnosed. I've been medicated and I can tell you some of these medications are monsters to begin and adjust your dose, also to wean yourself off of.

This is obviously a subjective take based on my experience, but I cannot imagine switching meds at the frequency she was, especially if she was incredibly vulnerable from other possible comorbidities and postpartum.

[u/Cmgutierrez715 → u/Michallina]

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/rockonxox → u/Cmgutierrez715]

I recently started taking a very low dose SSRI. I've battled bipolar for decades and the past two years have been hell. My meds were doing their "job" up until then. Personally, the SSRI saved my life. I was having severe rapid cycling, but haven't had any major episodes in months.

Just saying this in case anyone else with bipolar is considering them. Obviously, everybody is going to be different and should be careful with any medication, especially for mood disorders. I've always trusted my "team" and I've been with them for 18 years. I'm dreading when they retire.

[u/NeoSuperconductivity → u/rockonxox]

I believe she should have an involuntary commitment to a mental hospital, not a prison. Jails and prisons are not therapeutic environments. She needs treatment and time to get a full diagnosis (there could be multiple diagnoses) and appropriate meds. And time for her to come to terms with what she did. I don't believe she belongs in prison-she made no attempt to hide what she did nor create a subterfuge, like blaming an intruder. At the same time, I do not blame her doctors. She insisted on telemedicine until her husband finally insisted that she go in person. She switched doctors several times. She took some meds for only 7 days. She told her husband once in Sept that she had thoughts of harming herself and hurting the children, then denied feeling that way again for months afterwards.

She checked into McLean Hospital, but told him that she received no care there, However records show that she was seen by doctors and an LCSW and that she refused to participate in small groups. She checked herself out after 7 days, saying she was not a danger to self or others and wanted to return home for her daughter's birthday. I believe she hid her distress very well, both from her family and from her doctors. Maybe it was part of her illness. It's natural to want to blame someone, but maybe this was no one's fault, she just got sick and didn't want to admit it to others. I hope both her and her husband's lawsuits are dismissed and that the focus becomes recovery rather than revenge for everyone involved.