Annual Wellbeing Report 2023 final - Flipbook - Page 9
Louise’s story
One
step at
a time
Louise is a young woman in her twenties who was born and raised in
South America. Louise speaks multiple languages and plays several
instruments very well; she has a passion for fashion and enjoys performing
at times. Louise has a diagnosis of autism, psychotic disorder, catatonia,
oppositional defiance disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Louise
has unpredictable cycles of mental health and wellbeing; these have led to
lengthy admissions to hospital under section.
Louise’s cyclical changes mean that she can be very active, running,
cooking, going out daily, and has lots of interests and goals, or she can
be distressed and experiencing active visual and auditory hallucinations
for many weeks, or she can experience catatonic states in which she is
unable to do anything for herself including moving independently. Life
can be very challenging for Louise.
Our approach has been to flex support with
her changing needs, to make the most of every
moment that she is active, and to increase
support and care when she needs it most.
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As a result, Louise has had no periods
of catatonia in the last two years, very
reduced periods of distress related to
psychosis, and has been able to live an
ordinary life, seeing her family, going
on holidays, going shopping, cooking
Mexican food and spending time with
friends and other tenants. Louise has not
required hospital admission for 2 years.
A key achievement for Louise and her
staff team is for her to become more
comfortable and accepting of depot
medication.
