Helping Patient A Overcome a Long Term Personality Disorder
Patient A, a 29-year-old female, was diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder.
History
She has struggled with mood regulation, intense urges to self-harm, and numerous suicide attempts, with her last significant overdose occurring in 2014, nearly fatal.
She was admitted to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and then transferred to Surehaven Hospital in 2015
Surehaven
She remained under 1:1 observation for several years due to persistent self-harming behaviour. Collaborative efforts between Patient A and our team helped create an early warning signs plan to identify when her mental state was deteriorating. Emotional stabilisation, mindfulness, and grounding techniques were employed to help her manage her symptoms and slowly reduce the need for constant observation.
During her stay, the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department supported her engagement in meaningful activities, including enrolling in an Open University course and volunteering at a local cat charity. These experiences helped boost her confidence and sense of purpose.
Future
Her recovery journey, was greatly aided by the OT Department, because of the graded exposure to public spaces, public transport and practical tasks, preparing her for community reintegration and her eventual discharge.
Patient A has now been discharged to supported accommodation, equipped with the skills to manage her symptoms and live more independently.
Helping Patient B Manage Schizophrenia and Violence
Patient B is a 34-year-old male diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and polysubstance misuse.
History
First contact with mental health services in 2010 following a referral from his GP due to his first psychotic episode. Since then, Patient B has primarily been an inpatient in hospitals with short, failed discharges.
Managed by the early onset psychosis team with numerous challenges related to non-compliance and management issues.
Surehaven
Admitted to Surehaven in 2019, initially presenting as anxious and quiet with severe symptoms of mental illness.
Medical team supported Patient B in managing medication and creating a regime to encourage his development.
Patient B was re-evaluated with ADHD and received relevant medication, leading to an improvement in his day-to-day life.
Emphasis on developing therapeutic relationships, building confidence, and involving the family in the care and management process.
Future
With staff support, education, medication management, structured routine, and family involvement, Patient B has been discharged from Surehaven and is thriving in a supported accommodation environment.
Despite his history of violence due to his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, Patient B has made significant progress, demonstrating that with the right support and resources, individuals with severe mental illnesses can thrive in the community.