Summary: Experts explain how postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis can, in rare cases, lead some mothers to harm or even kill their young children, and what signs and supports can help prevent such tragedies.
Source: Northeastern University
A Massachusetts mother is accused of killing her three- and five-year-old children and injuring her seven-month-old, prompting urgent questions about how an apparently devoted parent could commit such violence.
Authorities say Lindsay Clancy of Duxbury allegedly strangled her children and then jumped from a second-story window in what appears to have been an attempted suicide. The Boston Globe reported that Clancy had written on social media in July about struggling with postpartum anxiety.
Laurie Kramer, a psychology professor in Northeastern University’s Department of Applied Psychology, spoke with Northeastern Global News about how new or returning mental health problems after childbirth can lead some mothers to act violently—often convinced they are doing the right thing—and about interventions that can protect families. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
How common is postpartum depression and what are its symptoms?
Postpartum depression is relatively common, affecting roughly one to two out of every ten women after childbirth. Symptoms typically include persistent sadness, low mood, and a sense of confusion or disappointment when the expected joy of a new baby does not materialize.
New mothers may experience extreme fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, changes in appetite, and trouble sleeping. These symptoms can make daily care feel overwhelming and can interfere with bonding and functioning.
Postpartum depression ranges in severity. In many cases symptoms improve with rest, practical support, and time; in more severe cases, professional treatment—therapy, medication, or both—is necessary.
How is postpartum psychosis different from postpartum depression?
Postpartum psychosis is much rarer but far more serious than typical postpartum depression. Alongside depressed mood, mothers with postpartum psychosis may experience severe confusion, disordered thoughts, and a break from reality.
In extreme cases, individuals can have hallucinations—most often hearing voices—along with paranoid ideas or fixed false beliefs (delusions). These symptoms can lead to dangerous behavior because the person cannot easily dismiss intrusive thoughts or test whether what they perceive is real.
When voices or delusions instruct someone to harm themselves or others, immediate medical intervention is critical. Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that requires prompt treatment.
Who is most at risk for postpartum mental health problems?
Predicting who will develop postpartum depression or psychosis is difficult. A prior history of psychotic disorders—such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia—does increase risk for postpartum psychosis, but these conditions can also emerge in people without any psychiatric history.
Research suggests that many cases of postpartum psychosis occur in people who had no previous diagnosis. Because it can appear suddenly, awareness and vigilance during the postpartum period are important for everyone.
What can prevent postpartum mental health issues from harming mothers and children?
Treat the early months after birth as the “fourth trimester”: a critical period when mothers need extra care, rest, and support. Ensuring adequate nutrition, sleep, and help with infant care can reduce risk.
Expanding home visiting programs for new parents, especially those living alone or facing food, housing, or financial insecurity, can provide essential support. Community-based doulas and postpartum support networks can also help mothers navigate the transition and reduce isolation.
Addressing social determinants—like income instability and housing insecurity—alongside clinical care, strengthens prevention efforts. Counseling, support groups, and timely access to mental health services are key components of a comprehensive response.
How seriously should concerns like suicidal thoughts or disordered thinking be taken?
Very seriously. Suicidal ideation, hallucinations, delusions, or any signs of disordered thinking should prompt immediate action. Family members, friends, and clinicians should not assume these thoughts are isolated or temporary.
Contact the person’s obstetrician, primary care provider, or bring her to an emergency department right away. Effective treatments—including antipsychotic or other medications and inpatient care when necessary—are available and can be lifesaving.
Hallucinations and delusions are medical symptoms that deserve prompt attention. For the safety of both mother and child, anyone who notices these warning signs should act quickly to ensure professional evaluation and protection.
Are women sometimes afraid to ask for help?
Yes. Many new mothers fear being judged as bad parents, which can discourage them from seeking help. It is important to normalize postpartum mental health struggles and emphasize that they are common, treatable, and not a moral failing.
Peer support from other mothers who have recovered, along with counseling and medical treatment, can reassure women that their symptoms can improve. Early contact with supportive professionals and communities often leads to faster recovery.
About this infanticide and mental health research news
Author: Cynthia McCormick Hibbert
Source: Northeastern University
Contact: Cynthia McCormick Hibbert – Northeastern University
Image: The image is in the public domain