The rash of murder-suicides in the Washington area in recent days might be a reflection of growing pressure from a faltering economy and career stresses that push people already teetering emotionally over the edge, mental health professionals said. “It’s not surprising to see this many murder-suicides,” said David Reiss, a California psychiatrist who specializes in character and personality dynamics. “There’s increased stress and increased despair combining with a lack of availability in good mental health services. It’s not a really good prognosis.”

On Sunday, a 33-year-old Anne Arundel man shot and killed his wife and her twin teenagers, then killed himself. Last week, a psychiatrist mother in Montgomery County shot and killed her autistic son, then turned the gun on herself. Last month, an accomplished scientist killed her psychiatrist and then herself in Fairfax County.