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Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial is putting a spotlight on a rare condition called postpartum psychosis.
The defense claims that Clancy suffered from postpartum psychosis, causing her to harm her three children.
The Cleveland Clinic defines it as a rare and severe psychiatric emergency after childbirth that causes a complete break from reality.
The condition affects 1-2 women per 1000, according to research published in the National Library of Medicine.
Alexandria Hershman is a licensed therapist and is certified in perinatal mental health, working in Fairfield and New Haven Counties.
She said someone experiencing postpartum psychosis needs medical attention immediately.
“Unlike postpartum depression or anxiety, it involves the inability to distinguish what is real and what isn’t,” she explained. “Treatment commonly involves psychiatric medication and stabilizing the mom, with the priority being, and keeping, both mom and baby safe. It is very serious, but it is treatable.”
Hershman said there is a difference between an intrusive thought, like a new mom worried about hurting her child accidentally, and postpartum psychosis. The condition’s symptoms are more sudden, like mania, hallucinations and delusions.
“Those command auditory hallucinations are not coming from the mom. They’re coming from a different voice. And those can be extremely harmful,” she said.
To prevent injuries, “I gave birth” bracelets were rolled out at Connecticut hospitals last fall.
They’re meant to be worn by new moms for 12 weeks to a year, signaling to healthcare professionals and first responders that this person could have common postpartum complications, including thoughts of harming oneself or a baby.
This kind of awareness and education is what Hershman is pushing for, as more learn about postpartum psychosis.
“I hope that this really blows the doors open in terms of allowing people to talk about this in a way where there’s no shame, there’s no guilt, we can be open, and this can be lifesaving for both moms and children,” she said.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a free resource for mothers in crisis. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA anytime for help in English and Spanish.
Click here for resources from 211.