Leona Mangroo 09/12/2024 The case of Andrea Yates can be analyzed through several psychoanalytic factors, shedding light on her mental state to explain her actions. The mental health issues Andrea Yates experienced in her early life suggested depression followed by suicidal attempts, which went undiagnosed, leaving her with no ability to help herself, which worsened uncontrollably, unknowingly. After experiencing multiple intense psychotic episodes, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, explaining the false images produced by her instability. With these “false images,” Yate’s distorted thought process and hallucinations encouraged her psychotic behaviors, believing what her mind was feeding her. Following the birth of her fourth child in …show more content…
Initially, her life revolved around personal interests and responsibilities, but unfortunately, her circumstances changed drastically. Without employment and with her husband frequently away, Yates was solely responsible for raising five children, leaving her no time for herself or activities that once fulfilled her, like swimming or jogging. Lacking love, confidence, support systems, and other comforting emotions as a new mother, it is clear that she was in critical emotional distress. The move to a new house alleviated her feelings of failure; this later diminished as she expressed that her old life proceeded to haunt her, seeing that she didn't reach her full potential, lacking the foundation she now had. With improving circumstances and needs being temporarily fulfilled, her mental well-being improved. Yet, support was provided only when she hit rock bottom, never prolonged, a never-ending cycle. Her inability to meet personal needs, manage her psychological well-being, and the overwhelming emotional pressure placed on her, elucidates why she struggles to achieve self-actualization. Gravitating from an honors society, and successful experience, to feeling as if she could not be a successful parent, she needed to regain control by removing what was weighing her down. It can be understood that she killed her children, sacrificing the bodies to save their souls from being condemned, yet that still makes her guilty for carrying out these