Postpartum psychosis survivor shares her recovery story after Clancy case spotlight

Postpartum psychosis, a severe mental health condition affecting 1 to 2 out of 1,000 new mothers, has been thrust into the spotlight by the Lindsay Clancy trial, where a key question is whether the disorder drove her to allegedly kill her children. Bridget María Chesterton, a 52-year-old history professor, developed the condition two weeks after giving birth in 2019, experiencing disorganized thinking and losing touch with reality. She was hospitalized twice and credits antipsychotic medication and strong family support for her recovery. Chesterton is sharing her story publicly to dispel misconceptions about the disorder, which can cause hallucinations, paranoia and delusions. She emphasizes that with proper treatment and support, mothers can recover fully, as she did by her daughter's first birthday.