What do you think about the voluntary use of seclusion rooms as a nurse/mental health aid?

[Calvinfair]

I'm going to start this by saying that I am a 18 year old who has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, schizoaffetive disorder, and disassociate identity disorder.now onto the question at hand, as someone who has been in more hospital psych units, subacute facilities, and residential treatment facilities then I can count starting from the age of eleven, I have been put into seclusion rooms plenty of times, and I feel like they help me quite a bit. In the earlier years of treatment it was always against my will, but I've found that as time has gone on I started asking to go into them myself, it's because it gives me a place to scream and cry all of my pain out. So as someone who actually likes a room where I can let all of the emotions and suffering I feel, I thought I'd do some looking on how much this kind of thing happens, and how people who work directly with these rooms feel about them being used as a tool to vent. I didn't find much of anything at all, so I figured I'd ask here.

[elkpark]

I've seen them used a lot on a voluntary basis. If the door is unlocked and the individual is free to come out at any time, it's not seclusion, it's just a quiet place to calm down and pull yourself together. Many units now refer to them as "time-out rooms" (or something similar) rather than "seclusion" rooms.

[Ginger45]

I always welcomed the use of a time out room to get yourself together. It is not seclusion. I admire that you are able to identify when you need to do that instead of acting out.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I've seen them used several places. One adolescent unit, in which I worked, had a "time out" room where a kid could go to get away from things for awhile. It was often used, with the kids asking to go in for a time, until they felt ok to come out. The door was kept open and it was quiet inside, and away from the milieu.

In another place I worked, we had a big sponge baseball bat patients could take into the seclusion room, to beat the walls, yell, scream, and cry. Those who used it appreciated it.

Did you mean the seclusion room might be used for staff who are overwhelmed, during work? I haven't seen that used before.

[TerpGal02, ASN]

We call ours "quiet room". I think its an excellent intervention. Lots of times avoids the need for extra medication and keeps us from having to do further restrictive interventions. I also like it when patients ask to go because it tells me they have a good level of self awareness......I am not was worried about them acting impulsively.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I think everyone needs some time to be alone and it shouldn't be forced, but you should choose it when you need it. In my house I retreat to my bedroom, but since I share that with my husband, sometimes I take a bath instead. The older and more in control of myself I get, the more alone time I seem to want.

A hospital, group home, etc, where people have to share rooms should have a place like this, where you can experiment with crying, screaming, being still, jumping around without anyone telling you what to do or think or feel, to see what you prefer.

[mrsjonesRN]

I think everyone needs some time to be alone and it shouldn't be forced, but you should choose it when you need it. In my house I retreat to my bedroom, but since I share that with my husband, sometimes I take a bath instead. The older and more in control of myself I get, the more alone time I seem to want.

A hospital, group home, etc, where people have to share rooms should have a place like this, where you can experiment with crying, screaming, being still, jumping around without anyone telling you what to do or think or feel, to see what you prefer.

Well said!

[hartsockd]

I've seen them used a lot on a voluntary basis. If the door is unlocked and the individual is free to come out at any time, it's not seclusion, it's just a quiet place to calm down and pull yourself together. Many units now refer to them as "time-out rooms" (or something similar) rather than "seclusion" rooms.

Are these also referred to as "quiet rooms"- is that the same thing?

[Safety Coach RN]

We start with a voluntary trip to the quiet room on adolescent. Works well if we can identify and defuse before it's too late.

[Safety Coach RN]

Are these also referred to as "quiet rooms"- is that the same thing?

When the door is unlocked.

[Zedrek]

A lot of facilities are trying to get rid of using restraint and seclusion altogether. Voluntary seclusion is so much better than forced for everyone involved. It's not good for the patient and I hate all the paperwork involved.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

A hospital, group home, etc, where people have to share rooms should have a place like this, where you can experiment with crying, screaming, being still, jumping around without anyone telling you what to do or think or feel, to see what you prefer.

I know it's a pipe dream, but I think private accommodations ought to be the rule everywhere. It seems to me it would probably lessen the need for "quiet rooms" or seclusion since it would give patients a place to go when they begin to ramp up or need some time alone.

I was fortunate enough to have a private room when I was inpatient awhile back, which enabled me to go inside and bawl like a baby whenever I was overstimulated or just upset. I was allowed to close the door part way, although they still checked on me Q 15 mins. I also journaled in there between activities and groups. I don't think I'd have done as well if I'd had a roommate...the room was my own personal "safe space". JMHO.