Lindsay Clancy Case: The Warning Signs of Postpartum Psychosis | Dr. Blair Steele & Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel

The recent mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case has brought postpartum psychosis into the national spotlight. This tragic event, where a mother allegedly killed her three children, has sparked crucial conversations about mental health, the healthcare system, and societal expectations placed on new mothers. In a recent podcast episode, Dr. Blair Steele, a psychologist, and Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel, an OB/GYN and addiction medicine specialist, delved into the complexities of postpartum psychosis, its warning signs, and the broader implications for families and healthcare providers.

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Severe and Sudden Condition

Dr. Steele defines postpartum psychosis as a severe and sudden mental health condition that can occur in 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 births. It's a very serious and often sudden onset condition. Dr. Spielvogel emphasizes the importance of distinguishing it from postpartum depression, which is relatively common (7-10% of all postpartum women) and typically defined as starting anytime within the peripartum period (before or after birth), with a formal DSM criteria of up to four weeks postpartum. Postpartum depression is generally more common in women with a history of depression or other comorbidities like bipolar disorder or major depression, and it is without any psychotic features.

Postpartum psychosis, in contrast, involves psychotic features such as auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, and a dissociation without insight into their disease. These symptoms are critical distinctions between the two conditions.