---
title: "How the Lindsay Clancy Case May Reduce Access to Postpartum Psychiatric Care"
id: "stat-news-1-opinion-the-unintended-consequences-of-the-lindsay-clancy-case"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-1-opinion-the-unintended-consequences-of-the-lindsay-clancy-case"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "General"
source_name: "STAT News"
source_url: "https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/lindsay-clancy-postpartum-psychosis-reproductive-psychiatrists-liability/?utm_campaign=rss"
published_at: "2026-08-28T17:59:54.000Z"
evidence_level: "Verified Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# How the Lindsay Clancy Case May Reduce Access to Postpartum Psychiatric Care
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-1-opinion-the-unintended-consequences-of-the-lindsay-clancy-case
- **Specialty:** [General](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md)
- **Primary Source:** STAT News
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/lindsay-clancy-postpartum-psychosis-reproductive-psychiatrists-liability/?utm_campaign=rss)
- **Published At:** 2026-08-28T17:59:54.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Verified Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- Authors Renee Sorrentino and Susan Hatters Friedman, both forensic psychiatrists with leadership roles in the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, argue that legal and media scrutiny of the Lindsay Clancy case could have damaging unintended consequences for maternal mental health care. - The Clancy case — a criminal trial now before a jury involving the mother who killed her three children — has focused attention on alleged clinical failures in diagnosing and treating perinatal psychiatric illness. - There are only about **500 reproductive psychiatrists** practicing in the United States, so general psychiatrists and OB-GYNs often serve as frontline providers for perinatal mental health disorders. - The authors are concerned that heightened liability concerns could lead general psychiatrists to avoid treating mothers with psychiatric symptoms or to practice defensive medicine. - Specific areas of scrutiny in the case include alleged missed diagnoses, questions about the adequacy of **telehealth**, and medication management decisions; these critiques may stigmatize virtual visits and common treatment choices. - Defensive responses could include unnecessary hospitalization for perinatal symptoms (including intrusive thoughts and depressive symptoms that typically do not require inpatient care), increased separation of mothers from infants, and more referrals to child protective services — all of which could deter mothers from reporting symptoms or seeking care. - The authors recommend education and awareness rather than fear-driven avoidance; they note efforts by reproductive psychiatrists to address training gaps, including the **National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry** and an AAPL practice resource on forensic reproductive psychiatry. - The article emphasizes that the right response is to expand knowledge and support for clinicians treating maternal mental illness rather than fostering an environment of avoidance and defensive practice.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
[Skip to Main Content](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/lindsay-clancy-postpartum-psychosis-reproductive-psychiatrists-liability/?utm_campaign=rss#wrapper) [ ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo-white.svg) ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo.svg) ](https://www.statnews.com/) * [Manage alerts for this article](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/edit/#emails) * Email this article * [Share this article](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/lindsay-clancy-postpartum-psychosis-reproductive-psychiatrists-liability/?utm_campaign=rss) [research](https://www.statnews.com/topic/research/) [cardiology](https://www.statnews.com/topic/cardiology/) [Cancer](https://www.statnews.com/topic/cancer/) * [Newsletters](https://www.statnews.com/signup/) * [Log In](https://www.statnews.com/login/) * [My Account](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/) * [Subscribe Now](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) My Account * [Settings Complete your personal information for a more tailored experience ](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/) * [Billing](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/billing/) * [Log In](https://www.statnews.com/login/) [ ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo.svg) Reporting from the frontiers of health and medicine ](https://www.statnews.com/) * [Newsletters](https://www.statnews.com/signup/) * [Log In](https://www.statnews.com/login/) * [My Account](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/) * [Subscribe Now](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) * [Biotech](https://www.statnews.com/category/biotech/) * [Pharma](https://www.statnews.com/category/pharma/) * [Public Health](https://www.statnews.com/category/health/) * [Health Tech](https://www.statnews.com/category/health-tech/) * [Policy](https://www.statnews.com/category/politics/) * [Science](https://www.statnews.com/category/in-the-lab/) * [First Opinion](https://www.statnews.com/category/first-opinion/) * [STAT+](https://www.statnews.com/topic/stat-plus/) * [STAT Events](https://www.statnews.com/events/) [ ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo.svg) ](https://www.statnews.com/) Search * [Log In](https://www.statnews.com/login/) * [Subscribe Now](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) * [My Account](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/) [Home](https://www.statnews.com/) News * [Latest](https://www.statnews.com/latest/) * [Series & Investigations](https://www.statnews.com/stat-series-and-investigations-award-winning-journalism/) * Business * [Biotech](https://www.statnews.com/category/biotech/) * [Pharma](https://www.statnews.com/category/pharma/) * [Health Tech](https://www.statnews.com/category/health-tech/) * [Health Insurance](https://www.statnews.com/category/insurance/) * [Hospitals](https://www.statnews.com/category/hospitals/) * [Medical Devices](https://www.statnews.com/topic/medical-devices/) * Washington * [Policy](https://www.statnews.com/category/politics/) * [FDA](https://www.statnews.com/topic/fda/) * [NIH](https://www.statnews.com/topic/nih/) * Science * [CRISPR](https://www.statnews.com/topic/crispr/) * [Gene Therapy](https://www.statnews.com/topic/gene-therapy/) * [Neuroscience](https://www.statnews.com/topic/neuroscience/) * Public Health * [Addiction](https://www.statnews.com/topic/addiction/) * [Covid-19](https://www.statnews.com/topic/coronavirus/) * [Abortion](https://www.statnews.com/topic/abortion/) * [Health Disparities](https://www.statnews.com/topic/health-disparities/) * [Infectious Disease](https://www.statnews.com/topic/infectious-disease/) * [Mental Health](https://www.statnews.com/topic/mental-health/) * Disease * [Cancer](https://www.statnews.com/topic/cancer/) * [Cardiovascular Disease](https://www.statnews.com/topic/cardiovascular-disease/) * [Chronic Disease](https://www.statnews.com/topic/chronic-disease/) * [Diabetes](https://www.statnews.com/topic/diabetes/) * [Alzheimer's](https://www.statnews.com/topic/alzheimers/) * [Obesity](https://www.statnews.com/topic/obesity/) * Features * [Health Care Costs](https://www.statnews.com/health-insurance-costs-out-of-pocket-out-of-reach-series/) * [The Deadliest Drug](https://www.statnews.com/alcohol-epidemic-hiding-plain-sight-deadliest-drug-series/) * [Science, Shattered](https://www.statnews.com/american-science-shattered/) [Newsletters](https://www.statnews.com/signup/) [Opinion](https://www.statnews.com/category/first-opinion/) Columns * [Adam Feuerstein](https://www.statnews.com/category/adams-take/) * [Matthew Herper](https://www.statnews.com/category/matts-take/) * [Ed Silverman](https://www.statnews.com/category/pharmalot-view/) [Reports](https://reports.statnews.com/) [E-books](https://www.statnews.com/ebooks/) [Podcasts](https://www.statnews.com/podcasts/) [Tools & Trackers](https://www.statnews.com/trackers/) * [CRISPR Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/feature/crispr/tracker/) * [Breakthrough Device Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/feature/stat-plus/breakthrough-device-designation-fda-tracker/) * [Generative AI Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/feature/stat-plus/generative-ai-health-hospitals-tracker/) * [Obesity Drug Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/2023/09/12/new-weight-loss-drug-tracker-novo-nordisk-eli-lilly/) [Events](https://www.statnews.com/events/) * [Upcoming Events](https://www.statnews.com/events#upcoming-events) * [Summits](https://www.statnews.com/stat-summits/) [Community](https://www.statnews.com/community/) * [STAT Wunderkinds 2026](https://www.statnews.com/wunderkinds-nominate/) [Video](https://youtube.com/@Statnews) [Advertise](https://www.statnews.com/advertise/) * [STAT Brand Studio](https://sbs.statnews.com/) What's the word? Test your knowledge with our new weekday mini crossword [ Start solving ](https://www.statnews.com/stat-mini-crossword/) Opinion[First Opinion](https://www.statnews.com/category/first-opinion/) # The unintended consequences of the Lindsay Clancy case ## How fear of liability could affect psychiatric care of mothers * [Manage alerts for this article](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/edit/#emails) * Email this article * [Share this article](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/lindsay-clancy-postpartum-psychosis-reproductive-psychiatrists-liability/?utm_campaign=rss) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AP26229766962785-645x645.jpg) Lindsay Clancy listens to her mother, Paula Musgrove, on the witness stand during her murder trial. The case could end up hurting postpartum psychiatric care.Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool By Renee Sorrentino and Susan Hatters Friedman Aug. 28, 2026 Sorrentino is a forensic psychiatrist in Boston. She is president-elect of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Friedman is a forensic and reproductive psychiatrist at Case Western Reserve University. She is past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Much of the focus on [the Lindsay Clancy case](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/12/lindsay-clancy-postpartum-psychosis-diagnosis-treatment-limits/) has been on the reported systemic failures of the mental health system, with the hope that this case will revamp the approach to maternal mental health. We, as forensic and reproductive psychiatrists, agree that the system is not perfect. But we are concerned that this focus could have a dangerous unintended consequence: The legal and public scrutiny around the Clancy case could make psychiatrists more reluctant to treat mothers with mental illness. In an ideal world, all mothers would have easy access to reproductive psychiatrists. The reality is that only about [500 reproductive psychiatrists](https://journalofcognitivepsychology.com/the-missing-specialty-in-maternal-mental-health/) are practicing in the United States. As a result, general psychiatrists (as in the Clancy case) and OB-GYNs are often the frontline providers for perinatal mental illnesses. Both are trained to assess and treat these disorders but do not have a dedicated focus on them. Advertisement This criminal case, which is now with the jury; the civil action taken by Clancy and her ex-husband; and the media coverage have all focused on the alleged failures of the clinicians whom Clancy saw before killing her three children. That raises the possibility that physicians will be concerned that treating a new mother’s psychiatric disorder carries a high risk of liability — and will avoid high-risk maternal patients. As a result, mothers who need psychiatric treatment will find it even harder to obtain it. Already, anecdotally, trainees have expressed concerns to us about their future practices. Mothers may experience a variety of psychiatric symptoms during the course of pregnancy and the postpartum period. They include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood symptoms, and much less commonly postpartum psychosis. [Postpartum psychosis](https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/postpartum-psychosis-on-trial-what-the-lindsay-clancy-case-can-teach-us) is usually considered a medical emergency, warranting psychiatric hospitalization. Reproductive psychiatrists have much more experience with these disorders than general psychiatrists do because they have subspecialty training and experience, and devote their clinical work to such mothers. Reproductive psychiatrists evaluate and treat patients — and are often consulted when there is a question about a diagnosis or, more commonly, when a general psychiatrist seeks advice about medication safety in the perinatal and postpartum period. Advertisement Related Story ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AP26223692576154-768x432.jpg) ### [The Lindsay Clancy case shows the limits of postpartum psychiatry](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/12/lindsay-clancy-postpartum-psychosis-diagnosis-treatment-limits/) The Clancy case has shone a spotlight on the medical decision-making of the various mental health experts, with the defense and many viewers questioning their competence to treat maternal mental illnesses. The defense has criticized aspects of Clancy’s care, suggesting the treating psychiatrist missed diagnoses, that telehealth visits are inherently inferior, and that inappropriate medication changes were made. We have both been approached by colleagues asking whether the public will now view virtual visits as inappropriate for maternal mental health treatment. If it happens, that would be a barrier to care. Many mothers who would have difficulty attending in-person appointments — for example bundling up their baby (and possibly another child) to take two buses in the rain— feel much more able to access virtual visits. In addition to the unintended consequence of general psychiatrists avoiding treating mothers, the larger criticism of the mental health system could result in more cautious, systemic treatment of mothers, such as increased hospitalization for any mother who reports psychiatric symptoms. Intrusive thoughts and depressive symptoms, for example, are not uncommon in the perinatal period and do not usually require hospitalization. The many psychiatrists and trainees following this case may be more likely to err on the side of caution by overtreating these symptoms with unneeded hospitalization (and [possible separation from their infant](https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/22/postpartum-depression-hospital-emergency-room-separate-mothers-babies/)), and potentially inappropriate referrals to child protective services. This then would paradoxically make mothers less likely to report their symptoms, to get the treatment that reduces their risk. The best response to the Clancy case should be to provide awareness and education to all psychiatrists treating maternal mental illness rather than engender fear and defensive medicine. To that end, dozens of reproductive psychiatrists — including us — worked to create the [National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry](https://ncrptraining.org/), an interactive curriculum to teach mental health professionals about reproductive psychiatry. The two of us also led the creation of the [American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law’s](https://jaapl.org/content/52/4/494) practice resource document on forensic reproductive psychiatry. Advertisement The alternative response is a tragedy in itself: to create an environment in which a mother seeking psychiatric treatment is met with fear, avoidance, and abandonment by a health care system of defensive medicine. _Renee M. Sorrentino, M.D., is a forensic psychiatrist in Boston. She is president-elect of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Susan Hatters Friedman, M.D., is a forensic and reproductive psychiatrist at Case Western Reserve University. She is past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law._ * * * ###### Letter to the editor Have an opinion on this essay? [Submit a letter to the editor](https://www.statnews.com/submit-a-letter-to-the-editor/?subject=The%20unintended%20consequences%20of%20the%20Lindsay%20Clancy%20case). [legal](https://www.statnews.com/topic/legal/), [Mental Health](https://www.statnews.com/topic/mental-health/), [Physicians](https://www.statnews.com/topic/physicians/), [reproductive health](https://www.statnews.com/topic/reproductive-health/) [Submit a correction request](https://www.statnews.com/contact/?how_can_we_help_=Editorial%20Correction%20Request)[Reprints](https://www.parsintl.com/publications/stat/) 1. Renee Sorrentino 1. 1. 2. Susan Hatters Friedman 1. 1. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/article-new/envelope-open.svg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/First-Opinion-Logo-Black-640x319.png) ### Newsletter The smartest thinkers in life sciences on what's happening — and what's to come Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Your data will be processed in accordance with our [Privacy Policy](https://www.statnews.com/privacy/) and [Terms of Service](https://www.statnews.com/terms-conditions/). You may opt out of receiving STAT communications at any time. Advertisement Most Popular 1. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CR5_0450-80x80.jpg) [Baby KJ’s doctors will ask FDA this winter to OK a clinical trial of pioneering gene editing approach](https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/baby-kj-crispr-gene-editing-personalized-medicine-at-scale/) 2. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CR5_0518-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [At a gathering of biopharma executives, a moment of wonder — and also of worry](https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/pharma-biotech-innovation-stat-summit/) 3. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GettyImages-457163926-80x80.jpg) [We quit the CDC last year. The problems we protested remain](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/cdc-protest-resignations-one-year-later-houry-jernigan-daskalakis/) 4. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GettyImages-1317445583-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [In autopsy of failed heart disease study, AstraZeneca raises broader questions about silencer drugs](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/astrazeneca-ionis-wainua-eplontersen-attr-cm-study-failure-bridgebio-alnylam/) 5. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/marc-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [Former Stanford president releases emails to rebut fraud and cover-up allegations in new book](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/27/marc-tessier-lavigne-responds-theo-baker-book-misconduct-stanford-genentech/) #### [ Reports ](https://reports.statnews.com/) [ ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026_CancerReport_ReportCover-328x424.jpg) Explore Cancer’s transformational moments: KRAS, CAR-T, immunotherapy, and more ](https://reports.statnews.com/products/cancer-transformational-moments-advances-in-kras-car-t-immunotherapy) Advertisement #### [Events](https://www.statnews.com/events/) [ ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/924_Samsung_VirtualEvent_Wordpress_FeaturedImage-80x80.jpg) Biosimilars: Have We Reached an Inflection Point? Virtual Sep 24 ](https://www.statnews.com/event/biosimilars-what-is-next-virtual-event-sept-2026/) [ ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Flagship2026_Wordpress_CalendarImageRegGoLive-1-80x80.jpg) 2026 STAT Summit Boston, MA Oct 14 ](https://www.statnews.com/event/2026-stat-summit/) [ ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026_DD_OfficeHours_VirtualEvent_Wordpress_CalendarImage-80x80.jpg) Office Hours with Isabella Cueto and Lev Facher Virtual Jul 29 ](https://www.statnews.com/event/deadliest-drug-series-office-hours-ama-july-2026/) Most Read in [STAT+](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) 1. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-15-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [Inside Moderna and Merck’s cancer vaccine triumph](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/24/inside-moderna-and-merck-cancer-vaccine-triumph/) 2. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Revmed_campus2-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [FDA approves new pancreatic cancer drug expected to usher in new era of treatment](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/26/pancreatic-cancer-drug-rasonque-approved/) 3. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AP26111614763455-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [HHS document offers new clues to Kennedy’s vaccine plans](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/21/rfi-reveals-possible-kennedy-strategy-vaccine-policy-changes/) 4. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/F0372048-Lipoprotein_A_particle_illustration-1-e1787689211295-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [New treatments for common cardiovascular risk factor near the market, with billions at stake](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/26/lp-a-drugs-novartis-amgen-lilly-potential-heart-disease-blockbuster/) 5. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GettyImages-2270934863-80x80.jpg) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [Comments on OMB research rule mysteriously removed from federal website](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/25/russell-vought-omb-funding-comments-daughter-benefited-nih-research/) #### Recommended ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) First Opinion First Opinion August 28, 2026 ### [ We quit the CDC last year. The problems we protested remain ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/cdc-protest-resignations-one-year-later-houry-jernigan-daskalakis/) By Debra Houry, Daniel Jernigan, and Demetre Daskalakis ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) First Opinion First Opinion August 28, 2026 ### [ A billing code was supposed to incentivize relationship-based primary care for Medicare patients. It may not be working as hoped ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/28/medicare-g2211-code-billing-research-primary-care/) By Ishani Ganguli Advertisement ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) Opinions+ Opinions+ August 27, 2026 ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: A bill is supposed to protect U.S. biotech from Chinese competition. But there’s a loophole ](https://www.st
## Related Clinical Research

- [Keto Diet Shows Superior Metabolic Benefits Over Mediterranean and Low-Fat Diets](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-1-keto-diet-may-have-metabolic-advantages-over-mediterranean-low-fat-diets.md)
- [Nurse Practitioner Trainees Face Clinical Mentor Shortage and Preceptor Challenges](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-3-nurse-practitioner-trainees-find-themselves-stymied-by-shortage-of-clinical.md)
- [Handshake in Medicine: Why Clinicians Should Reconsider Shaking Hands](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-4-opinion-medicine-stopped-shaking-hands-we-should-start-again.md)
- [Coffee consumption associated with lower visceral fat, higher muscle mass, and hormonal differences](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-coffee-drinking-linked-to-less-abdominal-fat-more-muscle-better-hormone-balance.md)
- [Cardiac-targeted delivery strategies for advanced therapies in heart disease](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42284133.md) (DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag432)

## Navigation
- [← Back to General Feed](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md)
- [← All Clinical Specialties](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed.md)
## Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer

> [!CAUTION]
> MedicHelpline content is structured for research, educational, and professional discovery purposes. It does not constitute individual medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.
> Always verify dosing, contraindications, and regulatory alerts against official product labeling and primary regulatory sources before clinical decision-making.