Postpartum depression discussions stirred during trial of woman accused of killing her 3 kids

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The country is awaiting a verdict in the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children.

Her defense team has argued that she suffered from postpartum psychosis.

As attention remains focused on the case, medical experts say postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious condition that differs from the more common postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression affects about 1 in 7 women, while postpartum psychosis affects approximately 1 or 2 in every 1,000 women who give birth.

Dr. Josh McConkey, an emergency physician, said people experiencing postpartum depression are often aware of their symptoms.

"With a lot of those symptoms of the postpartum depression, the person themselves generally feels that they're very tearful. They cry at a moment's notice. They know they're not sleeping well. They know that they're having just those those self-doubts and all those things that enter your mind when you had those depressions. When it turns into more psychosis, sometimes they don't know," McConkey said.

McConkey said risk factors can include a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or a family history of the condition. He added that family members and support systems often play a key role in recognizing behavioral changes that may indicate someone needs help.

"You know that hopefully there's people out there that are having those signs or symptoms that, you know, not that they're scared that they're going to do something like Lindsey Clancy was doing, but that they can seek care," McConkey said.

"And it's talked about more and there's great treatments for it. And there's always a health care professional waiting for you," he added.

Medical experts encourage anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm, whether a new parent or not, to seek help.

Support is available 24 hours a day through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

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