What is it like being sectioned?

[markymark]

I am doing some training in the US at the moment and we were talking about the process for an involuntary 72 hour hold in hospital. The whole process sounded very traumatic, involving police and restraints to go to the hospital.

I thought that in the UK it would be a more sympathetic approach -i.e. it would be more likely to be an ambulance coming for someone than a police car, restraints wouldn't be used automatically and it would be a medical professional coming out to someone rather than a police officer. Is that the case?

I just found the whole thing so upsetting - my Dad was very close to being sectioned at one point and can't imagine him being taken away in handcuffs.

Can you see the tv program Bedlam? On channel 4

I can get programmes they put on 4OD - I'll take a look and see if it's there, thanks.

I have been sectioned several times and I think the way it is done does depend hugely on the individual circumstances and nature of the illness/patient.

The approach does seem to be to do it with as much respect and dignity and as calmly as possible but unfortunately when sectioning someone who is in the community it does often involve the police/handcuffs etc. I have been taken both by police and by ambulance. It is frightening and traumatic at the time but is often the safest outcome I suppose.

I will second that 'Bedlam' is worth a watch.