What We Still Don’t Understand About Postpartum Psychosis

Plus: the G.O.P’s diverging paths; the little-known world of caterpillars; and how America manufactures poverty. View in browser | Update your preferences Tuesday, March 14, 2023 In today’s newsletter, a mysterious disorder, and then: • The G.O.P.’s diverging paths • The little-known world of caterpillars • How America manufactures poverty What We Still Don’t Understand About Postpartum Psychosis The recent tragedy surrounding Lindsay Clancy and her children underscores popular misconceptions about a grave and mysterious disorder. Illustration by Hokyoung Kim On January 24th, Lindsay Clancy allegedly strangled her three children, ages five, three, and seven months, and then jumped from a top-floor window of her house in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Clancy was arraigned on murder and assault charges last month, and the list of mitigating factors her attorney cited in her defense includes the “possibility of postpartum psychosis,” a relatively rare disorder that can cause a new mother to show signs of mania and depression, as well as experience aural hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. In a fascinating piece, Jessica Winter examines the complexities of postpartum psychosis, delving into past cases of maternal filicide connected to the disorder, and outlining the medical, legal, and sociocultural issues that surround them. As one medical professional explains, “There is no money for it, not for research, not for treatment. . . . This is one of the most severe conditions in psychiatry, one that has huge impacts on the mother and potentially on the child, and there’s nothing.” Winter’s piece is a startling exploration of a confounding phenomenon, and a sobering reminder of the many challenges of motherhood in America. Read the story Help shape the future of the New Yorker app. Take a brief survey » From the News Desk Daily Comment Why Did the Biden Administration Approve the Willow Project? Drilling for more oil in the Alaskan Arctic would be, in the President’s own words, a “big disaster.” By Elizabeth Kolbert Our Columnists How Brandon Johnson Broke Through to Chicago’s Mayoral Runoff After a decade of organizing, the city’s teachers’ union could elect one of its own as mayor. By Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor Our Columnists J. D. Vance, Ron DeSantis, and the G.O.P’s Diverging Paths The upcoming Presidential primary will likely pit rural white nationalism against “anti-woke” culture warfare. By Jay Caspian Kang Daily Comment How a Decade of Pope Francis Has Changed the Church The Pontiff has shown that Catholicism is a dynamic institution, whose leader can face unresolved questions openly. By Paul Elie Editor’s Picks Annals of Science The Little-Known World of Caterpillars An entomologist races to find them before they disappear. By Elizabeth Kolbert Books How America Manufactures Poverty The sociologist Matthew Desmond identifies specific practices and policies that consign tens of millions to destitution. By Margaret Talbot Afterword A Long Life as a Disney Animator For nearly seventy years, Burny Mattinson drew many of the studio’s best-loved characters. By Susan Orlean Tune in: On The Political Scene podcast, Masha Gessen talks about the war against trans rights in America—and its echoes of Putin’s Russia. Culture Dept. The Art World Senga Nengudi’s Journeys Through Air, Water, and Sand In a show at Dia Beacon, the artist explores her poetics of the body and her philosophical belief in flow. By Hilton Als Fun & Games Dept. Name Drop Play Today’s Quiz Can you guess the notable person in six clues or fewer? By Will Nediger Daily Shouts Scaled-Back Benefits for a Silicon Valley Recession The annual conference is moving from Maui to the Metaverse—an equally exotic locale! And we’re discontinuing fertility assistance, but that went without saying, right? By Harris Mayersohn Crossword A Moderately Challenging Puzzle Like some victories and chocolate bunnies: six letters. By Wyna Liu Daily Cartoon Tuesday, March 14th By Mads Horwath P.S. Plans for an AirTrain to New York City’s LaGuardia Airport have officially been scrapped. The news adds another chapter to the city’s fascinating history of failed infrastructure ideas. In 2016, Lizzie Widdicombe wrote about a man named Dan Levy, who proposed a different kind of public transport: a gondola connecting Manhattan and Williamsburg. “If they can build it in Caracas, we’ve got to be able to build it in New York,” he said. Today’s newsletter was written by Austin Elias-de Jesus. Thanks for reading. Let us know your thoughts about today’s edition. Plus, browse more newsletters and invite a friend to sign up for The Daily. You’re receiving this e-mail because you signed up for The Daily from The New Yorker. Manage your preferences | View our Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2023. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.