It’s safe to say that Leah Patterson has always been unlucky in love to the point it hasn’t triggered a psychotic episode. Until now. Her first husband and father of her son, Vinnie Patterson, was arrested for a crime committed by his father, put in witness protection, and died. However, it emerged later that Vinnie had survived. However, his wife had moved on with Dan Baker and said his goodbyes to his wife and son, VJ at their child’s birthday party.
Leah Patterson later marries Dan and becomes stepmother to his son, Ryan, becoming Leah Patterson-Baker. However, tragedy struck off-screen when Dan left to go climbing in New Zealand, and he died falling from a cliff. She later married Zac MacGuire, who then cheated on her, so she got a divorce. Now, she’s engaged again, this time to her longtime friend, Justin Morgan, and its triggered a psychotic episode, but not for the reason you might think.
The Origins Of Leah Patterson’s Psychotic Episode
As explained by Back to the Bay, Leah and Justin have been caught up in a storyline where they took in Andrew, a teenager who had been raised in the Vita Nova cult. He later left Justin and Leah’s care to be with his sister, Tegan.
For a while, everything seemed to be fine until Justin mysteriously won a radio competition holiday. However, the whole thing was a trap to kidnap the mechanic and his partner and leave them to die for their part in shutting down Vita Nova.
The Beginning Of The Psychotic Episode
In their attempt to escape, Justin almost dies when he tries to get out of their situation. Leah is left traumatised, even after their escape and now has trouble sleeping. In recent episodes, people have started to notice that she’s been acting strange and she has finally suffered a psychotic episode.
Due to her insomnia, Leah suddenly becomes convinced that Justin and, later, local cop Rose Delaney are part of Vita Nova. She tries to convince her nephew, Theo, that her fiancée is evil and that they have to go to the police.
A Race To Save Leah
They do, but even Rose can see something is off. Theo calls Justin to the station, where Rose explains that Leah wants him arrested for being in Vita Nova. Moreover, this is a notion they and Theo know is ridiculous. When Leah sees Justin through the window, she freaks out and thinks Rose is part of the cult, too.
Later, Leah locks herself in the Diner with a knife. At the police station, Justin and Theo ask if there’s something they can do. Rose says that there is an order that she can file to force Leah to seek help, but it can only be utilised if she’s endangering herself or anyone else.
Justin and Theo go to the diner, where they’re forced to pick up the lock. Knowing Leah can be talked around, Justin attempts to reason with her. Theo secretly texts local doctor Bree Cameron for help. Bree shows up and can get Leah to stand down.
Admitting She Needs Help
Justin and Theo spend the night away from the house so Leah can rest. Bree stays with her and has to tell her that she suffered a psychotic episode. Theo and Justin arrive home where Bree explains that Leah only remembers fragments from the night before.
When she emerges from her room, Leah says she now needs help. At the hospital, she undergoes a mental health assessment. She decides she needs to go to a clinic where she has no contact with anyone, including Justin and Theo.
Once Leah has departed for the clinic, Bree tells Justin and Theo that Leah is brave in seeking help on her own.
