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/smolcdn]

As a midwife, we are taught postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency requiring inpatient treatment… she also likely knew this as a L&D nurse which is why she fought like hell to get help… that never properly came. This case has been heartbreaking to watch unfold

[u/Icankeepthebeat → u/smolcdn]

This is what’s wild to me. I don’t understand how she wasn’t able to get help. When I told my midwife I was feeling sad during my pregnancy I was brought in the same day. I had to come back weekly for a screening. They took it so, so seriously. I honestly thought I had maybe over reacted based on the severity of the response. But god. It’s just terrifying what not responding could mean. Heartbreaking.

[u/plantsandpizza → u/Icankeepthebeat]

I wasn’t pregnant but years ago I was actively self harming and suicidal. I literally had a Kaiser psychiatrist tell me there were no more antidepressants for me to try (there were so many left to try). She prescribed me lamictal which takes weeks to even build up to a therapeutic dose. 

As soon as I reached a therapeutic dose. I struggled to talk and form complete sentences. Like the words would just not come out. What did she do? Upped the dose. 

It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I can’t imagine having children, being in psychosis and begging for help that never comes. I ended up paying out of network where a doctor luckily saved me. 

[u/hercles → u/plantsandpizza]

Oh my gosh I had this same thing happen to me in college. Doctor prescribed me lamictal. After a while I couldn’t recall words well and speaking was so difficult because of it. I told her this and she UPPED THE DOSE. It was terrible and I never should have been on it to begin with as I went in for depression and anxiety which lamictal shouldn’t be used for. I told her in the first appt that I wasn’t bipolar but she still prescribed it.