After a nearly successful suicide attempt, the chief psychologist on her ward listened to her whispered account of early childhood sexual abuse, and took what she told him seriously. For a brief period of about four months he was able to initiate a new treatment approach on the ward which addressed her experiences of sexual abuse trauma. She was given a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This was the only time in her mental health career that Anna agreed with her diagnosis. Anti-depressant medication was prescribed. Psychotropic drugs were no longer forced or relied on during escalation and she was helped to learn how to deal with crises. She worked regularly with a therapist in the community trained to treat victims of childhood sexual abuse. This therapist observed indications of Multiple Personality Disorder.

As she improved, discussions of her discharge began and Anna with her mother and her treatment team began to write a description of what she would need to live in a community setting.

This situation was not to last. As the abusive environment throughout the hospital came more and more under scrutiny, staff left, the chief psychologist was transferred to another unit, Anna's treatment team disbanded and her treatment reverted back to forced neuroleptic drugs, seclusion and restraint. Conditions within the hospital became increasingly chaotic and dangerous for both patients and staff. On November 30, 1986, at the age of 26, Anna ran away. She hoped to find a way for her and her boyfriend to live together in the community of Philadelphia. Her discharge records contained no information about her early childhood trauma, the diagnosis of PTSD, or the treatment she received for trauma.