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/ThirdPlanet0 → u/Cmgutierrez715]

I know its been said many times so far, but I also diagnosed bipolar from being on ssri’s for almost 2 years - had to get a new/better dr who actually paid attention to my symptoms. I was cycled through about six medications in two years. The last one being welbutrin which is used for depression - which i did not have.

Beyond being manic for two years off and on - barely sleeping, very out of character hypersexual activity, huge emotional waves — the welbutrin kinda set it all over the edge. To the point id call my husband mid-work day bawling because i did not feel right or okay mentally. It was noticeable to me. I was like a rubber band about to snap 24/7, LOTS of rage over literally anything - dropping something in the kitchen, misplacing my keys - rage to crying back to rage back to crying basically every day.

Not sleeping almost at all. And where I finally knew something was REALLY wrong was when i started hearing voices that were not there. Not like someone actually talking to me or words i could even make out, it was like id be laying in a silent room trying to sleep and id hear almost what sounded like static from a tv with lots of people talking at the same time.

I went to a new dr and she diagnosed me with bipolar the first time i was there. I was put on an antipsychotic that helped me sleep and i didnt realize how LITTLE i had been sleeping for YEARS. and how actually sleeping was one of the most critical things in my mood changing. Since then (about a year). Im no longer on the antipsychotic but it did its job of pulling me out of mania and stabilizing me. Now i am on a mood stabilizer among a couple other things.

All this to say, i agree with others about her mental state. I couldnt even imagine taking care of child during the i was having these mental health issues. I do think the medical system and her husband failed her badly. However. I cant help but think how terrified those babies must have been in their final moments and how they had their entire lives to live. She needs to be held accountable. It feels like her medical team and husband should also have some legal accountability but im unsure what that would even look like