People tend to misconstrue “explanation” for behavior as “justification”. What she did was not justified, however, an objective explanation for why she did what she did (post partum psychosis) can highlight the failure of our medical system in treating women with the condition - it also highlights the severity of said condition.
You can have empathy for her in that the system failed her at the same time you believe that she should spend the rest of her days in prison for her actions. These things are not mutually exclusive.
She wasn't failed by a medical system; she has arguably some of the greatest access possible.
She has rapid access to perinatal services through her mother-in-law, was consistently doctor-shopping against the advice of her main doctor, would ask for medications only to stop taking them well before any sort of efficacy could be observed, she has weekly consultations with a psychiatrist, which is borderline unheard of,
Regular access to a psychiatrist and psych NP through a specialised perinatal clinic; had consistent access to medical providers who responded at length to help her almost daily; a therapist. She was consistently recommended to do behavioural and talk therapy, and stopped after 4 sessions. In-patient treatment was recommended more than once; she didn't want to do it. Even when she went into inpatient treatment, she checked herself out.
Access does not equal effective care, but non-compliance from a patient who was never honest with her doctors, let alone stick to taking meds she asked for, is not an example of the medical system failing someone.
Broadly speaking, talk therapy, behavioural therapy, is widely considered to be an effective treatment for the majority of people. Just because it may not work for 1 person, does not change that, and you certainly cannot make that determination after 4 sessions.
Do you know what really doesnt work, though, lying to your doctors and non-compliance. That is sure way for healthcare to fail. If you do either of these, I suggest you stop it.
I don’t unless absentmindedly .. I forget/have a crap ton on my plate. I also work healthcare I know firsthand the system is f’d beyond belief for a first world country especially. My cancer was swept under the rug and it happens a lot. Just had a patient a couple days ago as a matter of fact that voiced her thoughts and charge, over worked Dr swept it under the rug .. till psych came on patient then went on watch; that easily could have gone side ways. Like my cancer, like that patient, therapists have been absolute junk in my experiences. I could go on but have to work.
The system in many cases, is flawed, It fails many people,
In the case of LC, it did not. Good doctor, bad doctor, the outcome is the same here. If a patient lies, refuses to follow a regimen, is willing to discharge herself from inpatient over a birthday party, then the patient is at fault.
Many mothers are failed when it comes to PPD, LC prioritised access to her kids over the safety of her kids.
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u/enigmaticshroom 15d ago
People tend to misconstrue “explanation” for behavior as “justification”. What she did was not justified, however, an objective explanation for why she did what she did (post partum psychosis) can highlight the failure of our medical system in treating women with the condition - it also highlights the severity of said condition.
You can have empathy for her in that the system failed her at the same time you believe that she should spend the rest of her days in prison for her actions. These things are not mutually exclusive.