The evolution of psychiatric care – a spiral model

Abstract

The present trend towards community care with the continuing closure of the old Victorian institutions has given rise to much argument for and against community care. Incidents of violence by mentally III patients against members of the public have resulted in some backlash against community care. There are fears of a return to the days of the institution. It is proposed that these changes can be predicted from a model that we have called the 'spiral model'. An understanding of this model might help to prevent history from repeating itself.

Development of civil commitment statutes (laws of involuntary detention and treatment) in Sri Lanka: a historical review

“…These changes have been viewed by some as a swinging pendulum (2) , oscillating between more and less restriction of individual liberty and by others as a spiral, continuously advancing the quality of care even while vacillating between more and less restrictive legislature. [4] In Sri Lanka, the Mental Diseases Ordinance codifies the statuary standards of civil commitment. [5] This law stipulates the procedure to follow when admitting individuals to mental hospitals of the country as well as when governing the material assets of those found ‗unsound mind' under the act.…”