Bent But Not Broken

Untitled Part 2

CASE FILE #2794 ABIGAIL LEE MANUS D.O.B. 02/04/1998

ENTRY 4: 14/04/2014

Abigail continues to resist all attempts to engage with me in individual sessions. It does not appear that the anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications are having any appreciable effect as yet.

The staff reported that during the weekend Abigail maintained her frosty demeanour towards them.

Seemingly without provocation, Abigail violently attacked another patient on Saturday afternoon. She was confined to her room until the staff felt she was sufficiently calm to be returned to the lounge.

It has been reported that she has eaten well at each meal, and has not shown any signs of bulimia. Abigail does appear to be better nourished. Her skin has improved because she has filled out a little, and her hair looks in better condition.

On Sunday night Abigail had a shower, cleaned her teeth and changed her clothes. All of which is an improvement from when she was first admitted. I believe that this is an indication that she is becoming more reconciled to being in the ward.

Her persistent silence throughout group sessions is displaying a passive- aggressive attitude. This is counterproductive both for her recovery, and for the other patients. Thus far, they have not commented about this in the group setting – but two have indicated in their individual sessions that they are angry that Abigail has resisted all their attempts to befriend her and include her in the daily activities of the ward.

I will not remove the suicide watch overnight, as her mood swings and behaviours are volatile and extreme.

I will leave her in room 101 until she shows signs of being prepared to talk with me. I want her to be able to discuss her actions that caused her admittance to the facility. The staff will continue to watch her closely to monitor her attitude and behaviour to staff and the other patients.

Dr. Harry Nightingale.

Dear Crystal,

I figure they read what I write to you so I had better be a bit careful. I got your letter. It was opened, so they read that too before they gave it to me. What do they think? You're going to send me instructions on how to make a bomb or something? Seriously, I reckon I'm sane and they are all mad.

Do you have any idea what it's like in here? It really is a prison. The windows are made of thick glass with metal mesh through it. I know they're very strong because I threw a chair at one. Okay, the chair was plastic – but I threw it as hard as I could. It just bounced. That got me into trouble again. I was sent to my room for two hours. I felt like a little kid being punished.

I know they were watching all the time. I can feel their eyes – like ants crawling all over me. Don't they know I need some privacy? How would they like to be watched all the time? Every room has cameras. Even the toilets. If I stay in here much longer I really will go crazy like the others. You have to get me out!

Abigail