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The Phenomenon That Is ABD


Acute Behavioural Disturbance and Excited Delirium are terms that are not recognised by the World Health Authority.


Since 2005 the term has been referenced as a cause of death or a contributing factor in police reports and inquests in at least 44 restraint cases, as noted in research carried out by the charity Inquest, Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Observer.


Since 2019, in mental health settings, a study by Kings College London found references to ABD had become more prevalent.


Last October, in the USA, California lawmakers banned the term as a diagnosis or cause of death.


This is the link to a blog post I wrote about the California banning decision - https://nfps.info/breaking-news-a-person-being-restrained-now-cant-die-from-excited-delirium/


ABD requires appropriate assessment and management by healthcare professionals.


Contact us to learn more about avoiding the use of high risk physical intervention techniques, and why




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