Section of Detention underthe Mental Health Act

1983: 26 (14 men, 12 women) were detained under Section 2, 16 (five men, 11 women) under Section 3, and eight (seven men, one woman) under Sections 37/41 (restricted patients). Diagnoses: Twelve (four men, eight women) were suffering from schizophrenia; 17 (ten men, seven women) paranoid schizophrenia; 16 (seven men. nine women) manic depressive psychosis; two men psychopathic disorder and three men mental impairment. Outcome: In 40 cases (20 men, 20 women) the patients were not discharged. In two (one man, one woman) a decision was deferred. One man was granted trial leave. Five (two men, three women) were absolutely discharged and two men were conditionally discharged. Observations: There was a preponderance of patients (14/50) in the 26 to 30 age group. Section 2 cases accounted for about half (26/50) of the total. No restricted patients were aged over 45. Far more restricted patients were male than female (ratio 7:1). Schizophrenia and paranoid schizophrenia together were nearly twice as frequent as manic depressive psychosis. Cases of manic depressive psychosis were more frequently discharged than patients with other diagnoses. Some of the results were predictable, others less so. Compared with the schizophrenias, manic depressive illness can run a cyclical course with acute exacer bations and rapid improvements. This would account for more manic depressive patients being under the short term order. Section 2, and being more likely to gain discharge. On the other hand, the schizophrenias, running a longer and less rapidly fluctuating course, were more frequently detained under Section 3. Paranoid patients might be more likely to seek redress of their status through the Tribunal. One in seven cases was absolutely dis charged or conditionally discharged and this discharge rate of around 15 % is near average for regions without a special hospital