This Chilling Story Of Postpartum Psychosis Will Make You Rethink Maternal Mental Illness
In 2001, Andrea Yates was America’s most notorious mom…but how did she get there?
Fifteen years ago Andrea Yates drowned her five children in a bathtub. Six years and two trials later she was found not guilty by reason of insanity. The following is an honest conversation about the Yates' tragedy and maternal mental illness today:
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Two years before Andrea Yates committed murder, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and psychosis following the birth of her fourth child. Only a month after her diagnosis, she attempts suicide for the first time.
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After the birth of her fifth child and the death of her father, Andrea's psychosis returns full force. Within months, Andrea's psychiatrist opts to take her off of an anti-psychotic prescribed to control her symptoms, citing concerns about side effects.
Two days before Andrea drowns her children, her husband brings her back to the hospital. The doctor does not prescribe Andrea anything, nor is she admitted to the hospital.
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