Patient credits “life-changing” treatment for helping her to rebuild her life

A woman from Manchester is finally thinking ahead and making plans for her future after receiving “life-changing” treatment at St Andrew’s Healthcare in Northampton.

Char, 32, has spent the past two and a half years at the hospital, following a prolonged period in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) elsewhere and a series of unsuccessful placements.

When she first arrived, Char was extremely unwell. She was self-harming, largely withdrawn, and rarely eating or drinking, spending most of her time in bed. She described feeling deeply hopeless and unable to see a future.

She said: “I felt completely desperate. I didn’t feel worthy of life and I didn’t believe I would ever get better.”

Char, who has a diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), alongside complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and autism, began engaging in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) as part of her treatment.

Within a few months, she began to recognise a shift.

She said: “I started to realise it was working. DBT guided me on how to regulate my emotions and tolerate distress. It reduced my need to self-harm and helped me see that I could live a life without it.”

Through the programme, Char developed practical skills to manage overwhelming emotions and navigate challenging situations, enabling her to move away from harmful coping strategies.

Alongside therapy, she credits the support of staff and fellow patients with helping her regain confidence and reconnect with others.

She added: “The team have transformed my life. The other patients helped me come out of my shell and I realised that people could accept me for who I am. I came in here completely broken, and I’m leaving almost healed. St Andrew’s has saved my life.”

During her time at St Andrew’s, Char has made significant progress and is now preparing to move into supported living. Although she says she feels both “excited and nervous,” she is beginning to look ahead and plan for her future.

She hopes to explore volunteering opportunities, take a college course, and become more involved in her local community, including joining a crochet group.

Reflecting on her journey, she said: “I actually feel like I can live my life now and live it happily. I can spend more time with my family and use the skills I’ve learned to cope with everyday stresses.”

She also shared a message for others who may be considering treatment: “It’s scary at first, but what you gain from it far outweighs any fears. Take the leap and give it a go.”