MH's Story
“I’m happy, healthy and I’m a ladies man”
MH moved to Cohen house from a secure mental health hospital where he had spent 4 years of his life. Within that time he had violent outbursts, especially around meal times. He was in many restraints, limited access to the community and when he did go out he was given Diazepam, whether he needed this or not.
MH entered hospital a normal weight but very quickly became morbidly obese in a very short space of time. He had a limited diet and would only eat frozen chicken nuggets, chips and garlic bread, as well as unhealthy snacks.
Initially, MH settled in well at Cohen House. We started to incorporate home-cooked meals to his daily routine and over time encouraged MH to try different types of foods. There was outburst around meals and snacks but as a team, we challenged this and he adapted well to the change in food.
MH had many community trips however the more he went out the more behavioural problems we witnessed.
Often whilst out he would shout, scream, throw things at staff, and take his clothes off. At Cohen house, he would often set the fire alarm off, threaten staff, punch, kick and destroy his and the houses property. At times staff and residents barricaded themselves in the office or bedrooms to avoid being hurt by the various objects being thrown and to wait for the police to arrive.
As a team, we soon realised that unless we changed the way MH was being managed in the home MH would be admitted back into the secure psychiatric hospital that he hated so much.
The team had a wellbeing meeting to discuss a robust plan moving forward. We identified that the majority of MH’s presentation was behavioural which was often driven by anxiety, worry and fear. There was also some sensory issues that played a part but predominately it was his behaviours and the lack of him understanding the way he was feeling.
We created a crisis plan for the team to follow this meant MH engaging in very limited tasks. He was kept in a low stimulus environment to avoid heightened behaviour. He had a daily planner for low key activities around the home and boundaries were put in place.
MH was put on at risk of hospital admission register so it was important that the whole team followed the wellbeing plan by the script with no room for inconstancy.
The whole team did follow the plan and we started to see MH’s behaviour very slightly improve. We knew we needed to start to gradually challenge MH to see how he would manage in the community.
As a team, we took everything back to basics. Initially starting with local walks, family visiting at the home and daily low stimulus activities. We would often take 2 steps forward and 1 step back. When he had outbursts we would talk to him and show him other ways to manage his emotions.
After some time of the team working in this way, MH behaviours and violent outbursts decreased and he was taken off the risk to admission into hospital register .
MH was out of a crisis but he wasn't doing the activities he enjoyed doing.
Whilst in the community MH anxiety was driving the behaviour but we knew the only way to reduce the anxiety would be to challenge it.
We devised a community program for MH starting very gradually. We taught MH what to do when he felt anxious and helped him recognise these symptoms. Many hours were spent talking with MH normalising his emotions and helping him to understand and manage them in a better way.
Through the ongoing support from the home managers and the consistent approach of the team, MH has adapted and begun to manage his emotions himself and has progressed rapidly in the past 6 months.
MH is now doing his weekly shop, which was not possible before due to this exacerbating his anxiety. He is going out with his parents. He is spending afternoons out in the community and returning to the home without incidents. All of this is now completed without him taking diazepam. We also have his first-day trip planned to Petitis animal adventure park. This will be a big achievement for him.
He has learnt to verbalise the way that he is feeling rather than just showing us. MH has developed coping strategies to help him manage his behaviours and emotions in a more positive way.
MH’s diet completely changed, he went from eating only processed foods to now having a varied diet where he is now partial to olives, falafel, salmon, kale, strawberries and natural yoghurt to name a few of his favourites. He still has chicken nuggets, chips and garlic bread but we cook this from scratch hand making the chicken nuggets with wholemeal breadcrumbs. Cutting chips from potatoes and preparing the garlic bread using wholemeal baguettes.
When MH moved to Cohen house one year ago he was 14 stone 9lbs
MH now has a current weight off 10st 12lbs, loosing a total of 3st 11lbs so far!
We met with MH parents before he moved to Cohen. At that time they expressed their major concern on MH physical health. They felt very strongly that the hospital had let him down.
We spoke to his parents again recently who couldn’t be more happy with their son’s progress. His Mum stated that their son now walks like a young man again. They also noticed that his breathing is better due to not having the access weight around his neck. He was at risk of sleep apnea which he currently is not due to the change in his physical health. His reduced weight has now significantly reduced his risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease to name a few.
MH would not be with us today and back in hospital if it wasn't for the teams support in backing cascades ethos. The team has being driven to consistently challenge MH’s behaviours and work in a consistent manner to help MH achieve his new lifestyle.
We couldn't be any more prouder of MH and the hard work cohen house team have displayed to change this young man's life.
