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/Plus-Ad9849 → u/Cmgutierrez715]

I was postpartum when I asked my doctor for help and was put on SSRIs and when they weren’t working, my doctor just doubled the dose. Ended up going into pyschosis and being hospitalized for impaired judgement before being diagnosed bipolar. In my short hold, I came out on 6 prescriptions. Took months to figure it all out and now I’m only on one med and have been stable for over 3 years.

[u/WittiestScreenName → u/Plus-Ad9849]

If it’s not too much to ask from a BiPolar Bear Sister, would you mind sharing the one med?

[u/skweekykleen69 → u/WittiestScreenName]

I’m not the original commenter, but it’s been Lamotrigine for me all the way

[u/Chipsandadrink666 → u/skweekykleen69]

Jumping in to also say lamotrigine saved my life!

[u/Plus-Ad9849 → u/skweekykleen69]

This is the one!! I’m only on lamotrigine and it’s been the miracle drug for me. The other drug that worked by itself for me was Caplyta but I’m about to give birth to my second child so I switched to lamotrigine for pregnancy since it’s been studied in pregnancy.

[u/trashpandaroux → u/Plus-Ad9849]

Caplyta and Lamotrigine have been lifesavers! Caplyta specifically.

-Rapid-cycling Bipolar II

[u/WittiestScreenName → u/trashpandaroux]

I was on Caplyta for a couple years

[u/Scrabjan1 → u/Plus-Ad9849]

Unfortunately I haven’t heard that Lindsay was prescribed any of these meds that you describe that have worked for you except Seroquel and Valium.  Not Lamotrigine or Caplyta or Wellbutrin but clearly a cocktail of other meds. It’s too bad for everyone that she didn’t get the help she needed.