Book, Therapeutic Technique of Physical Restraint 1/13[LS]

Physical restraint of patients with mental disorders was a technique used inappropriately and abusively throughout the evolution of psychiatric care, often as punishment and mere subjugation of the patient according to the professional's wishes. This undue practice has changed and needs to be eliminated. It is worth mentioning that the use of this technique is indicated for specific situations and when other therapeutic resources are ineffective or offer a greater risk of harm. Even today, we are faced with many errors and disastrous consequences when applying the technique, mainly due to the lack of knowledge on the part of professionals and the inadequacy of the techniques used in institutional practice. The technique described in this work was carried out by the author over the years of his professional experience and, since 1991, has been taught in training and courses across the country. Among the topics covered, the following stand out: therapeutic communication technique, main psychopathological conditions that constitute emergencies, aggressiveness, physical restraint technique, assistance to be provided, use of the technique in the elderly, children and in mobile emergency care, specific situations involved in the procedure and ethical-legal aspects. Therapeutic Technique of Physical Restraint therefore fills a gap in the national literature on the subject and presents a physical restraint technique that protects the therapeutic intention of the procedure, the safety of the patient and the professionals involved in the action.