TRIGGER --- Use of restraint and seclusion during psychiatric hospitalizations

Sep 09, 2019, 05:52 PM

I wrote a post with a link to an article in the Psychiatric Times on the above-mentioned topic. The link came up as "You have been blocked" for some unknown reason, even though it was clickable. I'm going to assume maybe PC has some issue with this topic? I did use a trigger box for any particularly triggering content. Anyway, if this is against any Terms of Conditions, please delete and accept my apologies.

If anyone is interested in the post I intended for this, I can send it by PM, I assume. If that is also prohibited, please let me know. I deleted the contents of this post when that "You have been blocked" showed up for the Psychiatric Times article link.

The subject of this thread is not exactly tea and crumpets, but it's reality for some in psych wards. We all know that bipolar disorder is a horrible illness to have. Sometimes it can look very scary.

HALLIEBETH87 · Sep 09, 2019, 06:04 PM

At my Preferred IP it’s called the quiet room. I’ve seen several people taken there. They put a Velcro body
Suit around the person and give them a shot of Thorazine. Then they’re taken to the quiet room. All I know about it is there is a plastic sort of bed in there with no sheets or blankets .

I’ve never been restrained but I have been on super close watch before. I tried to hang my self while IP and they made me sit by the desk all day. The followed me to the bathroom and I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere alone. Then I had to sleep in the day room where they could see me all night. -sigh-
It was traumatizing. After that I had to sleep in a camera room

Nammu · Sep 09, 2019, 06:08 PM

I've been restrained and put into seclusion more times than I can remember. Most of the time I was having a PTSD reaction and the staff response exacerbated my condition. If instead one staff and just responded in a calm listening manor the whole thing could have been avoided.

Sep 09, 2019, 06:11 PM

Possible trigger:

During my most recent IP stay I spent a lot of time in the "quiet room." It was just a small room with a bed screwed to the middle of the floor with little "hangers" for restraints if needed (they weren't for me this time). There's a door with a window for observation, but the door only opens from the outside with a key that only staff and guards have. I had to spend a whole night in there one day but I didn't sleep because they had to keep the lights on so they could see me. They put me in there when I was screaming, yelling at, and threatening the staff. I've heard of some people going in there just because they were sick and needed to be closer to the nurses station and needed to be watched with more frequency though. There have also been times in ambulances and ERs where I was physically restrained and then chemically restrained (zyprexa injection or haldol injection on different occasions)I don't remember those situations too well.

There was also a "serenity room" for people that just wanted to get away from noise. I didn't like it because of certain psychotic delusions at the time but I guess it's a nice place. It has bean bags and yoga mats.

06:36 PM

HALLIEBETH and Nammu, I'm so sorry about what you've been through. I felt traumatized by some of my experiences, too. Nammu, I do think staff overreact at times, and other times maybe not.

I'll go ahead and put the Psychiatric Times article link here. If a PC Mod doesn't like it, they can do what they like with this thread. It's a Psychiatric Times article! It seems to still be clickable on my end. You have been blocked

Possible trigger:

At my psych hospital, it was a room between nurses’ stations that could be locked (holding the patient in) or shut, but not locked. There was a window in the room I was in, but I couldn’t see out of it, but the nurses could see in, to see what I was doing. It just had a bed with no sheets, and a toilet and very small sink. Nothing else. It was sound proof. Unfortunately, I had been in a much worse seclusion situation at a psych ER once. Hearing other distressed patients is very disturbing, especially when you're very disturbed yourself. That’s part of why a sound proof room is of some benefit, I think.

I have some blurry recollections about “restraint”. I know I was dragged by some hospital security into the isolation room several times, usually screaming and resisting, and held down and given forced injections. That's “chemical restraint”. I do recall sometimes being given Haldol and sometimes Ativan. Other times, I don't know. Usually it was pretty soon after that that I calmed down, I think.Bear in mind that I was usually screaming and violent beforehand.

I don’t recall ever being strapped down to the bed, but who knows! I experienced some manic “blackouts” at times – en bloc and fragmentary. I do have a friend with bipolar type 1 who had been physically restrained with straps on at least a couple occasions.

One time, clearly after a seclusion, I was given a private room on the ward - surely because they thought it best not to have me room with another patient. I recall there being a security guard sitting outside my hospital room. I was, at that point, permitted to leave my room and walk around the ward, but the guard followed me. I think that lasted only for about a day. I think. Then the guard was released of that duty.

Moose72 · 06:37 PM

Never been restrained for psych purposes. Been given morphine for pain and that kind of calmed me down. Seen the rubber room once at the old psych ER - it had padded walls and a chair or two. Not sure- I wasn't put in it. Worst I did at the hospital was wandering in circles in the waiting room because I was bored. The kept having to tell me to sit down and stay away from the door. I was green banded- makes alarms go off if you go through the doors. I was taken to the "back" once and put in a small room with an uncomfortable bed and the lights on. The door had a square window near the top and cross-crossed metal wires going throughout. The nurses station was right there. I was so bored I just kept staring at them. I was fed - a breakfast tray with a tiny box of Frosted Flakes. I was in there for ages. Another trip to a different hospital- they had a "commode" in my room and they had to have their eyes on me at all times. I had to "go number 2" in front of everyone in the middle of the room. They weren't happy about that- and neither was I! Eventually I was

Possible trigger:

so drugged from having taken 30 Benedryl at once, that I sort of passed out. People were all around me but I was in and out of consciousness.

. Ive also had people have to go with me to the bathroom and watch me so I didn't- I was a "fall risk". No Haldol ever given as an injection.

yellow_fleurs · Sep 09, 2019, 06:39 PM

I am sorry for everyone that has had to experience this. I know there are times when someone is unsafe and this may be necessary, but I would really hope it's not used except as a last resort. I don't think I'd handle it well. Nammu, I am sorry that happened to you. I can see how in that mental state that sort of response would just aggravate everything.

Thanks for the article BirdDancer. I am able to link to it.

Nammu · Sep 09, 2019, 06:58 PM

When I was in the state hospital they used it all the time to maximum time. Once the doctor said I was walking angrily( but not talking or acting out in any way) so they surrounded me and tied me down to the mat. Because that was traumatizing I would dissociate and not respond to anything so they would leave me tied down and in suclusion for 23 hours, then by law they had to release me. Because I was dissociating they would then ( I'm told) lead me to me room and put me on the bed. Where I would later find out a whole day had passed.

childofchaos831 · Sep 09, 2019, 07:02 PM

I've never "officially" been restrained or put in seclusion. I have been given emergency thorazine when I was freaking out at the psych ward, but both times I "agreed" to take it orally instead of them having to give it to me by shot. I was more a danger to myself than others those times, so they just kept me where they could see me.

This last time I was IP, they had me on 5 minute checks at night, because I sleep with a CPAP and

Possible trigger:

I was having urges to hang myself with whatever was available

so they upped my frequency. I only had a roommate for two of the nights I was there, because of the 5 minute checks. They didn't want to put someone in my room and have them not be able to sleep because of the tech coming in every 5 minutes to make sure I was okay.

I have gone to the quiet room before, but I asked to go to get away from the noise or because I didn't feel safe. I was never forced to go there. The descriptions given pretty closely match with what it looked like at my hospital too.

I hate that people have been forcefully restrained and secluded... Sometimes it is necessary tho, unfortunately.

fern46 · Sep 09, 2019, 07:11 PM

I had to be restrained during my ride to the hospital. I was kicking and screaming in the ambulance like crazy. They gave me a shot and it very quickly sedated me. I could barely lift my head. I had a guard outside of my room the whole time I was there until I was transferred to the mental hospital. I needed to be restrained. I was a danger to myself and others.

yellow_fleurs · Sep 09, 2019, 07:14 PM

Wow that sounds horrible and traumatizing Nammu. I can't even imagine. That was my fear when I was in a mixed episode that if I were to be hospitalized I would somehow get restrained physically or chemically because I seemed agitated and couldn't sit still. I hope there are other hospitals you could go to if you needed IP in the future?

Nammu · 08:17 PM

I was committed to that state hospital for 6 months, when they tried to recommit me I left the state. There was no treatment, no groups. Just a crazy pdoc who loved using seclusion. I was homeless for years afterwards because I could not trust anyone to really help me.

childofchaos831 · Sep 09, 2019, 07:26 PM

That's horrible @Nammu ... It's really bad when the hospital treats someone so bad they lose all trust in the system and people in general. I'm so sorry...

yellow_fleurs · Sep 09, 2019, 07:27 PM

I am so sorry you experienced that. That is really terrible and sounds like an incredibly hard experience. Have you found a pdoc or therapist you can trust now?

Sep 09, 2019, 07:42 PM

Nammu, it definitely sounds like you experienced abuse. Do you think that someday when you're feeling well you could write some letter to the appropriate government authority about your horrible experience?

My experiences with restraint and seclusion were a bit traumatizing for me. I can't deny that. However, in my particular case, some of my severe episode experiences outside of the hospital are even more difficult to process. There is stuff we don't talk about to even family. Some stuff I've barely talked about to many of my past therapists. Some events I have talked about, but then the therapist acted astounded that I mentioned them in such a "matter of fact" way. They weren't "matter of fact", but some people (I can say, like me) try not to let these things destroy. I don't "laugh" at the really horrible stuff, as I joked about in a different thread, but I try to move on. They sometimes must be processed, like any trauma, though. Something does give, if traumas aren't processed. I know that very well. I once equated that trauma as creating a "psychiatric avalanche" in my life. One rough challenge, mentally, happened after another. I had to fight past all of them, one step at a time, and look forward to the good ahead.

Nammu · Sep 09, 2019, 08:15 PM

That happened years ago. I eventually ended up in a woman's shelter that had excellent counselors and groups. They helped me get sec 8 where I had my own safe apartment to retreat to, and that helped a lot. I was chosen to represent MI by PAIMI and I was able to have a voice. The state hospital I was at issued a blanket apology to patients via the newspaper, too little and too late to ever help anyone. I did get a good T who also signed and was able to over come the PTSD now it's ( just

) bipolar I deal with.

Sep 09, 2019, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammu

That happened years ago. I eventually ended up in a woman's shelter that had excellent counselors and groups. They helped me get sec 8 where I had my own safe apartment to retreat to, and that helped a lot. I was chosen to represent MI by PAIMI and I was able to have a voice. The state hospital I was at issued a blanket apology to patients via the newspaper, too little and too late to ever help anyone. I did get a good T who also signed and was able to over come the PTSD now it's ( just

) bipolar I deal with.

Thanks for sharing that, Nammu! I'm glad things worked out OK in the end. That rocks how you overcame the PTSD! Onward we fight bipolar disorder.

sophiebunny · Sep 09, 2019, 10:12 PM

I've been restrained and heavily sedated. I had a severe psychotic-manic episode that made me convinced the staff at the hospital worked for the secret forces I was fighting with my supernatural powers. I was totally delusional, hallucinating, and wildly manic. For my own safety they restrained me until the sedation rendered me powerless. It's a terrible feeling being restrained. I fought hard against them. I was sure the invisible forces were planning to hurt me and fighting the restraints was my only choice.

seesaw · Sep 09, 2019, 10:23 PM

@Nammu, thank you for sharing your story. I was not refusing or a danger to anyone or even arguing with the doctor and I was drugged, restrained in cuffs and shackles and carted off. Put before a judge whilst under whatever they drugged me with and committed. I have PTSD on top of my cPTSD from the "care" provided by these doctors, which is why I have so much trouble dealing with any healthcare providers now.

Medical professionals ABUSE this tactic far too often. I was also issued an apology publicly from the hospital that did this to me, but that doesn't do much good in helping me now.

Sorry to jump in on a bipolar thread; I just very strongly identified and wanted to comment.

~Christina · Sep 09, 2019, 10:37 PM

My normal IP has a “serene room” (many) soothing music, Wall Fall sounds etc. you can pick what you like , the lighting is muted, the furniture, there is a bed , oversized sofa, soft blankets, a small fridge with bottles of juices, milk, a basket full of snacks. I stayed there once for I dunno 5-6 hours and once almost 10 hours I guess.

A mental health tech is with you at all times , you can talk to them , cry or retreat into your self.

I have needed it twice, once I was psychotic and very frantic, the other time my Fibro pain was so bad I was a angry and punching my bed frame, I was a mess BUT wasn’t a threat to anyone or myself besides almost breaking my hand punching the bed frame.

Each time I was given oral Xanax or Valium ( Large dose) and once agreed to take I think it was Thorazine?

Vanderbilt does not use restraints on anyone unless they are out of there mind on street drugs, they are kept in the hospital until they are down from it, the psych unit is about 4 blocks from the hospital.

If someone is literally out of there mind they are typically taken to the hospital so medically they can be monitored ekg wise and whatever meds can be given at higher doses.

Vanderbilt is a very well known university hospital and they have one of the best psych services, I’m lucky they have been there for me.

I have heard freaking horror story’s from other patients that wound up at state hospital or other places.

I’m so sorry for any of you that have wound up in a hellish situation. Breaks my heart knowing it happened

~Christina · Sep 09, 2019, 11:37 PM

Nammu , thank you for sharing your story of terrible abuse by a system that should have helped NOT harmed.

You are so unbelievably strong to survive all that.

You are such an important person here, you always are kind, supportive and wonderful advice on any struggle any of us face.

I’m so grateful I have the honor of calling you friend

HALLIEBETH87 · Sep 09, 2019, 11:53 PM

Ty for sharing everyone.

*Beth* · Sep 11, 2019, 06:07 PM

Over and over I am horrified and furious at the system that barbarically treats people with mental illness.

I have never been in restraints (except being put in handcuffs by cops, even thought I was quiet and completely cooperative - nothing like being arrested for being suicidal) Every time I've been IP either a nurse or a security guard goes with me to the bathroom. I've always thought it was because they were afraid I'd try to drown myself in the toilet.

Last time IP I was in a "cell" across from the nurse's station. I couldn't close the curtain, so had to try to sleep with light and noise all night. Of course, I slept no more than 2 hours. It seems to me that the most absurd action that can be taken IP is to deprive someone with mental illness of sleep. Sleep is the foundation of mental health.

Wild Coyote · Sep 11, 2019, 06:14 PM

My heart is heavy for everyone abused by this mode of restraint.
I wish you healing.

Nammu, I admire you for a few reasons; however, this is a huge one! It's such a blessing that you were able to find healing under such terrible circumstances.
I, too, enJOY you and your participation here. MuchLove ~

neverending · Sep 11, 2019, 06:48 PM

I have experienced being in physical restraints and also being in isolation rooms. At the time that's what I needed and was never traumatized by it.

I have also had times where nurses sat outside my room on guard with the door open.

One time the hospital I was at didn't have an isolation room and I was out of control. They kept one of the hallways locked and I asked them to put me there until I could get myself calmed down and they complied.

The last time I was IP they had cameras in all of the rooms. I didn't care about that either.

I don't know about ER departments but I do feel that on psych wards there is a place for restraints, chemical restraints, and isolation rooms in addition to a voluntary unlocked quiet room.

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TRIGGER --- Use of restraint and seclusion during psychiatric hospitalizations

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