What happened to Mariona at the convent?

Mariona was held captive in a convent, where she endured indoctrination, forced confessions, and an escape attempt that led to her being sedated and taken back to the convent.

What kind of "treatment" did Mariona receive at the psychiatric clinic?

Mariona was subjected to insulin coma therapy, a dangerous "treatment" that involved injecting her with insulin to induce a coma-like state, in an attempt to "reset" her brain.

How did Mariona's experience at the convent and clinic impact her?

Mariona believes the forced insulin coma therapy irreparably damaged her memory, and she began keeping a diary to document her mother's experience, which later informed a documentary.

Home / Health / Convent Captive Endures Forced Insulin Coma Therapy After Escape Attempt

Convent Captive Endures Forced Insulin Coma Therapy After Escape Attempt

16 Nov

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Summary

Mariona recalls indoctrination and being forced to confess at convent
Escaped convent but was recaptured and given sedative to be taken back
Underwent insulin coma therapy, which could be lethal, to "reset" her brain

Convent Captive Endures Forced Insulin Coma Therapy After Escape Attempt

In November 2025, Mariona recounts her traumatic experience of being held captive in a convent several decades ago. She describes a process of "indoctrination" where she was made to understand that she had "behaved very badly" and then forced to confess and ask for forgiveness.

After around four months, Mariona was allowed to return home to Barcelona for Christmas, but was not permitted to go out alone. Somehow, she managed to escape, but her freedom was short-lived. Within hours, she was bundled into a car with her father and an uncle and driven back to the convent in Madrid.

Once back at the convent, Mariona refused to go inside, but was pulled up the stairs and given a sedative to force her entry. The other young women were warned against talking to her, as she was seen as the "rebel girl" who had tried to run away. Mariona grew intensely lonely and eventually began refusing food.