Service User: Coercion Concern

Abstract

In this short chapter, I discuss coercive practice by calling on personal experiences of over 20 years being treated for manic depression to give a patients’ perspective. This is of course a biased and somewhat anecdotal view of coercion that focuses on negative aspects, but reflects a patient’s experience of these techniques. In the context of this book, it is hoped that this account of coercion provides an alternate view to what readers may have already gained from previous chapters. I utilise treatment experiences over my time as a patient to emphasise my arguments. The chapter aims to question the rational of using coercive methods and questions the benefit to a patient over time. After defining what I think coercion is, I conclude by questioning why it is used and if it is at all an effective way of treating people with a mental health condition.