Lindsay Clancy trial: Defense calls experts to testify about postpartum psychosis

The defense team in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children, is calling medical experts to testify about her mental health in the period leading up to the deaths.

Clancy is accused of strangling her three children in January 2023, including an infant, before attempting to end her own life, according to authorities.

Her attorneys are presenting evidence aimed at convincing jurors that Clancy was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and is not criminally responsible for her actions.

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The case has drawn national attention to postpartum psychosis, a rare but serious mental health condition that differs from postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is typically associated with symptoms such as depressed mood, loss of interest and changes in sleep or appetite.

"Postpartum psychosis usually presents fairly quickly," said Dr. Philip Izzo, medical director for outpatient psychiatric services at Main Line Health.

Izzo said psychotic symptoms differ significantly from mood-related symptoms.

"And psychotic symptoms are very different from mood symptoms. They are non-reality-based symptoms. So that would include things like auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations," Izzo said.

According to Izzo, postpartum depression affects about 10% of new mothers, while postpartum psychosis is much less common, affecting about 1 to 2 mothers per 1,000 births.

He described postpartum psychosis as a psychiatric emergency because of the potential risks associated with the condition.

"The reasoning for that is that, you know, 1-2% of postpartum psychotic patients will have a fatal, suicide attempt associated with that," Izzo said.

He added that the risk of harm to an infant is also a serious concern.

"And an even higher incidence is 10-12% of women with postpartum psychosis, you know, might do something that, you know, befalls some degree of harm to their infant," Izzo said.

Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, or another mental health crisis can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Mom and sister testify about Lindsay Clancy's declining mental state before she killed her children


• Patrick Clancy, father of slain kids, testifies as ex says postpartum psychosis drove killings


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