Seclusion: the use of a stress model to appraise the problem.

This paper raises the issue of the use of seclusion in psychiatric practice by analysing the general theoretical underpinnings and the work of the RCN in this area. The literature suggests an impasse in understanding the thorny problem of the use of controlling measures in the management of the violent and aggressive individual. A new model of understanding is presented which deals with the issue of staff fear in relation to the decision to use seclusion which contributes towards both theory and practice development.