Hospitalized schizophrenic patient views about seclusion

K. Hammill, J. P. McEvoy, H. Koral, N. Schneider

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Twenty-six of 100 consecutively admitted schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients required seclusion during their hospital stays. Seclusion episodes usually involved involuntarily committed, severely ill patients and occurred early in their hospitalizations. The recollections of the personal seclusion experiences of 17 patients were generally factually accurate, except for a tendency to play down disruptive aggressive behavior on their part. Patients described seclusion as a painful experience associated with feelings of helplessness, fear, sadness, and anger. However, patients also stated that seclusion rooms were necessary on inpatient psychiatric units and that the rooms were used for the control of disruptive aggressive patient behaviors. This study highlights not only the need for staff to clarify for patients what behavior has led to seclusion and what behavior will lead to release, but also the need for staff to acknowledge patients' distress at the experience.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)174-177
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry
Volume50
Issue number5
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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