DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjmcr.2025.v13i11.013

Pages: 2722-2724

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manifests through intense and dysfunctional reactions following an event perceived as life-threatening or severely distressing. In psychiatric settings, involuntary hospitalization and the use of physical restraint may represent potentially traumatic experiences. Objective: To explore the relationship between PTSD and physical restraint among patients hospitalized in the psychiatric emergency unit at Arrazi Hospital, Salé. Methods: A descriptive study involving 30 patients admitted to the psychiatric emergency department. Sociodemographic, clinical, and experiential data regarding restraint were collected through a standardized form and analyzed using Meta-chart and Visuel-chart software. Results: The sample included 53.3% women, aged between 17 and 46, mostly single and unemployed. The most frequent diagnoses were schizophrenia (53.3%) and schizoaffective disorder (26.6%). A majority (67%) experienced physical restraint during hospitalization, with 96.6% restrained for less than 12 hours. Predominant emotions were anger (23.3%) and mixed feelings of respect with loss of trust toward caregivers (29.1%). No patient met the diagnostic threshold for PTSD (mean PCLS score: 14.4). Conclusion: Although sometimes clinically necessary in acute agitation, physical restraint can be perceived as a traumatic experience. Acknowledging the patient’s psychological experience is essential for developing more humane and ethical care practices.