Treating a Severely Disturbed Self-Destructive Adolescent With Cold Wet Sheet Packs

Sheet packs have proven to be useful in treating extremely agitated patients who cannot take medication, as a substitute for seclusion or other types of restraint, and with patients who continue to be destructive despite use of medication and seclusion. They can also be used on a regular basis once or twice a day with self-destructive borderline and psychotic patients until the patient has established control and there is some clearing of psychotic symptoms. The use of sheet packs can also aid in establishing a therapeutic alliance with patients who are extremely fearful of hurting their therapists.