Experimenting with groups in a locked general psychiatry ward

The groups were discussed in terms of the role the mental hospital can play as a container of psychosis. The anxieties and concerns brought by the patients in the groups showed a high degree of disturbance with threats of disintegration and chaos prominent. Madness, violence, inappropriate sexual behaviour, and deprivation were brought in abundance and the staff struggled to deal with this by providing a containment based on attempts to understand. Although containment was far from successful the groups were valued by patients and staff alike and contributed to a more humane atmosphere where patient's concerns were given time and attention.