Dissociation : Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 074-078: Restraints in the treatment of dissociative disorders: a follow-up of twenty patients

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of the use of voluntary restraint in a total of 246 sessions by twenty hospitalized patients with dissociative disorders. The sessions were analyzed both for beneficial effects and for complications arising in the use of restraint. Benefits were obtained in 230 instances, and 117 complications were encountered during forty-five sessions. One patient committed suicide during the course of the study. The authors conclude that the proper use of restraint, when less restrictive means are not effective, is a safe and viable intervention in the treatment of aggressive or dangerous altered states in patients with dissociative disorders.