A Massachusetts murder trial involving claims of postpartum psychosis is drawing attention to the challenges of diagnosing and treating the condition.
Key facts
- •Postpartum psychosis is estimated to occur in 1 to 2 of every 1,000 births.
- •The condition is considered more common than sudden infant death syndrome.
- •Lindsay Clancy's defense argues her actions were the result of untreated psychosis, while prosecutors contend the killings were deliberately planned.
- •Dr. Susan Hatters-Friedman describes postpartum psychosis as the "scariest mental illness" she knows.
- •Meghan Cliffel, who experienced the condition, advocates for better screening and education for new parents.
Lindsay Clancy is on trial in Massachusetts, where she has pleaded not guilty to the 2023 murder of her three children. Her defense team argues that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the incident. Medical experts and advocates are using the high-profile case to highlight the necessity for improved education and screening for the condition, which they say is often misdiagnosed.
Challenges in diagnosis and treatment
Medical experts, including reproductive and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Susan Hatters-Friedman, note that postpartum psychosis is not listed as a distinct diagnosis in the DSM, the standard handbook for identifying mental health conditions. This lack of formal classification can make it difficult for patients to receive appropriate care. Dr. Veerle Bergink of the Mount Sinai Health System states that doctors are not sufficiently trained in the condition, leading to frequent missed diagnoses.
Experiences with the condition
Meghan Cliffel, a mental health advocate who experienced postpartum psychosis in 2015, described the condition as a rapid descent into a "deluded reality" characterized by paranoia and hallucinations. Cliffel, who eventually recovered after receiving a diagnosis and treatment with the mood stabilizer lithium, emphasized the importance of naming the condition. She and other experts hope the current trial will lead to systemic improvements in how postpartum mental health is supported.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NPR Health.
