In Sweden two laws govern the use of involuntary commitment in psychiatry. the relation between patient and staff is one of the most important tools of treatment, and an ethical approach in the use of involuntary commitment is of great importance.

This study want to provide an initial view of the use of involuntary commitment in psychiatry in Sweden, based on gender.

The aim is to open up a discussion regarding the use of involuntary commitment generally, and to pinpoint possible differences in the use of involuntary action between genders.

The national patient registry, held by the National Board of Health and Welfare, based on personal identity numbers was used. 2010 is the first year with a comprehensive registration of involuntary commitment.

Out of a total of about 52 000 patients in 2010, about 22% had been treated through involuntary commitment, in accordance with one of the two laws concerned. No gender difference could be seen. the presence of three coercive actions was studied: involuntary medication, restraint and seclution. Involuntary medication was given to 13%, restraint undertaken for 8%, and seclution for 5%. A larger number of women were involuntarily medicated. in total, women were exposed to at least one of the three coercive actions to a slightly higher extent than men. Women did also receive more coercive actions per patient.

This first result of the frequency of coercive actions and involuntary commitment in Sweden can be a starting point for a discussion concerning an ethical approach in psychiatry.