Are cpn's trained to restrain people?

[not_so_insig]

As above. I know nurses are in a hospital setting, but would a cpn be able to restrain someone who is at home?

[Epicene]

I believe so, yes. The training is probably on the job rather than whilst studying though.

[not_so_insig]

Thanks, I thought they were, rather than not.

The reason I ask is that the voices in the past have told me to punch my cpn. Fortunately I havent (and it scares me when it does happen because I really like my cpn). I know it's my trust's policy to prosecute people if they hit/shove their cpn's (I know someone who pushed their cpn and they got taken to court). But I would like to know that she can defend herself should the voices get out of control.

[when.will.it.end]

I might be wrong but I don't think so, unless they've previously worked in an inpatient setting.

[not_so_insig]

Have you thought about asking your CPN and having a discussion about it with him/her?

I dont want to bother her in case she gets the wrong end of the stick, and thinks I am going to hit her. That means she wont let me see her alone. I have no intention of hitting her. But it's happened in the past and I have been honest with her when it happens.

[not_so_insig]

Well what if you explained that because it's happened in the past, you have no intentions of hitting or hurting her now, you were wondering if she was trained in how to restrain you because you just want to make sure that in case you were ever in crisis or such, that she would be safe? I don't think that would make them worried.

She's coming on Wednesday, so I might ask her then. It makes me sick to my stomach the thought of hitting her because she's always been so kind and great to me. I just hope she doesnt think that because I am asking that the voices are telling me to hit her again (which has happened in the past).

[Epicene]

If you mention it, it will probably take some of the power away from the voices. There are also things she could do to protect herself and reassure you, such as taking a bleeper out with her (to notify her workplace if there was ever any difficulty). But I do think you should credit yourself for fighting the voices and reminding yourself that you don't want to hurt anyone.

[not_so_insig]

Thanks Dash.

[not_so_insig]

You could even clarify that you felt horrible about it and that currently you are not being told to hurt her in any way, in case she was worried. That you just have felt bad about what has happened in the past and you want to do your best to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Thanks. She knows my voice (I only have one atm) is really quiet at the moment. Hopefully she wont be too concerned that I am going to thump her.

[not_so_insig]

Make her an apology card and put the question in there so it is sort of joking at the same time? Like, sorry I hit you that one time, let's be cool.

Except I have never hit her (I know someone who has hit their cpn though), so really I have nothing to apologise for.

[random.swirls]

Where I work we have a days training on Breakway which is Self Defense rather than restraining. This is the case for all community staff.

Inpatient staff have a week of training including restraining etc. but basically restraining someone is more than a one persons job on wards etc.

[not_so_insig]

Thanks Cam.

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

If you're at immediate risk to yourself or anyone else then anyone can restrain you under common law (in the UK).
Generally, MH professionals in the community won't restrain unless it's a severe situation with yourself or someone else at risk, but they will if required. And yes they are trained (I'm a nurse working with outpatients).

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

Also to add if you hit your CPN once and not repeated blows, they wouldn't attempt to restrain you etc they'd just inform the police.

[not_so_insig]

I asked my cpn before and she said that although she can't hit me or restrain me she has been taught breakaway training. So she can defend herself should anyone hit her.

She says she's confident that I have no intentions of hitting her at this moment in time and the voices are not telling me to hit her. She did say that if anyone hit her that she would have to inform the police.

[yoyogirl]

It depends on the circumstances of the patient

[Steel Maiden]

I've physically attacked my support worker quite a few times and he defended himself, even when I was fully launching myself on him with my fists (I often get physically aggressive during meltdowns). He told me he gets training in challenging behaviour management. But to be honest my support worker was more defending himself than anything else. Had he tried to restrain me, it would have made matters a lot worse. He did say though that he would restrain me if I was in danger of being hurt myself.

I'm hoping your CPN does know about how to manage aggression and violence, as it is not that unusual.