Postpartum Psychosis: Stagnation and Evolution

In 2001, Andrea Yates brought national attention to maternal mental health and criminal insanity. More recently, Lindsey Clancy's case has renewed debate about postpartum psychosis and the culpability of mothers who kill their children.

This lecture examines these and other cases, exploring treatment vs. punishment, sympathy vs. stigma, and blame vs. understanding. It also reviews evolving perceptions of maternal mental health, postpartum disorders, criminal responsibility, and the insanity defense.

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