Harsh criticism of psychiatry -
Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

Harsh criticism of psychiatry - patients without rights

In a new report, patients in psychiatric care report everything from violence to poor treatment. There are structural shortcomings, says Freja Lindstedt of Psynlighet.

The Psynlighet Association has collected 1,273 anonymous testimonies from people who were treated in psychiatry between 2019 and 2025 - the compilation contains stories of major shortcomings.

Many report routine use of belt restraints and high doses of medication as the only treatment options. Some report violence and abuse.

"Patients feel disenfranchised. Many experience various forms of poor treatment," says Freja Lindstedt.

Lindstedt hopes that the report will lead healthcare providers to listen to patients to a greater extent.

"Greater patient influence is crucial for better psychiatric care."

The report is based on anonymous testimonies collected between January 28, 2019 and February 24, 2025 via opsynliga.se.

The 1,273 patient testimonials form the empirical basis of the report. It has not been verified that the survey includes unique testimonials.

137 testimonies concern coercive measures, 98 concern violence and abuse, 275 concern patients who have fallen between the cracks and been bounced between different healthcare providers, 236 concern medication and 729 concern poor treatment by healthcare personnel.

Source: Psynlighet

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers

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