Woman on the Edge of Time

From Bellevue Admission Notes:This evening this 37‑year‑old obese Puerto Rican woman allegedly attacked a relative and a relative’s fiancй with a bottle. Upon examination she was found lying on the floor, groaning incoherently, and proved disoriented as to time and place. She was hostile, uncooperative, and threatening. She was abusive to relative and relative’s fiancй. Admit. Thorazine 1000 mg by injection. Restraint.

From Rockover State Admission Notes:This patient is a 37‑year‑old Mexican‑American Catholic mother, separated from her husband Edward, whose child has been put out for adoption through the state agency. Has a history of violent psychotic episodes, including robbery, assault, and child abuse. Eleven days ago this patient attacked her niece Dolores Campos and her niece’s fiancй. This patient is known to us and has been previously hospitalized in Rockover. After ten days at Bellevue, transferred here. Remained acutely psychotic. During hospitalization, she has been mute and withdrawn with occasional violent outbursts. She has been uncooperative, attempting to refuse medication, and has no insight into her illness. Has delusions of persecution by niece’s fiancй and speaks of the State of New York as “murdering” a Negro boyfriend. This patient also constantly complains about the child put out for adoption. The patient has no consistent notions of right or wrong. She said that for the last two years she didn’t drink at all. She smokes about a pkg. a day. She denies any drug addiction, although she admits use of barbiturates in the past. She claims not to have had any relations with men in the past three years. She doesn’t admit any attachments to women either. This patient is a socially maladjusted individual subject to periodic dysphorias accompanied by fear, leading to violent episodes and aggressions. Admit to Ward L‑6. Restrict to ward. Violence precautions.

Escape Report:After a fight with another patient on the ward, causing mild concussion, this patient wandered out of the hospital and was lost in the woods for two whole nights and days. She was recovered in a bus station in Fairview very confused and uncertain where she was trying to go. She was covered with mosquito bites. It was decided to place her on close supervision … .

From New York Neuro‑Psychiatric Institute Notes:This 37‑year‑old female did not appear to have any motor difficulties. The patient appears to have learned to walk and talk at the normal time. Sent to Texas for birth records. Patient was delivered by midwife. No definite documentation of premature birth or birth traumas. History of blackouts and violent episodes in which patient felt as if she couldn’t control herself.

… Mr. Camacho is a well‑dressed man (gray business suit) who appears to be in his 40’s. He operates a wholesale‑retail nursery and has a confident, expansive manner. I would consider him to be a reliable informant who expresses genuine concern for his sister … .