The mental health act 1983: Characteristics of detained patients

Abstract

Abstract The study was designed to examine the factors influencing compulsory admission under the Mental Health Act 1983. A sample of 90 consecutive detained patients at three Manchester hospitals were matched for age, diagnosis and psychiatrist with 90 informal patients. No differences were found between detained and informal patients in terms of ethnic origin or social class. Detained patients showed greater severity of illness, more disturbed behaviour on admission and more likelihood of having had incidents of violence or self-harm prior to their admission. Significantly more of the detained patients were admitted outside working hours and had a history of convictions for violent crime.