Educational draft · awaiting clinical reviewUse Rapid for revision, not patient-care decisions. Check current national and local guidance and the BNF or BNFC before acting.
2 min synopsisUK scopeSources checked 27 Aug 2026Clinical review pending
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Overwhelming distress or immediate danger
Dissociation, panic, escalating agitation, suicidal action, threat from another person or physiological collapse requires the interview to pause while safety and regulation are restored.
Action: Reduce stimulation, orient the person to the present, offer simple choices, address physical needs and summon appropriate help. Remove immediate hazards, separate the person from a suspected perpetrator when safe, and use the least restrictive intervention with clear explanation and documentation.
Synopsis
Conduct a safe, collaborative and clinically useful interview that recognises the possible effects of trauma, maximises choice and control, avoids unnecessary re-exposure and still addresses urgent risk, safeguarding and physical needs.
Assume trauma may be relevant without assuming that it occurred, caused every symptom or must be disclosed during the first meeting.
Explain who you are, what will happen, how long it may take, who can see information and the limits of confidentiality before sensitive enquiry.
Prioritise physical and emotional safety, transparency, meaningful choice, collaboration, strengths and avoidance of unnecessary re-traumatisation.
Key red flags
A disclosure of current abuse, trafficking, coercive control, child danger or unsafe accommodation requires prompt safeguarding action rather than detailed trauma exploration.
Investigation priorities
01
Safety and preference checkFirst step
Identify immediate threat, environmental triggers, communication needs, desired support and practical ways to increase control.
Management branches
Interview preparationCreate predictability and choice
A clinical conversation may involve distressing experiences, coercion or previous service trauma.
Explain role, purpose, confidentiality limits, likely topics and duration, then identify language, accessibility and support preferences.
Arrange privacy, seating, exits and personnel to maximise safety and offer genuine choices about pace, order and breaks.
National guidance is shown before implementation-dependent detail. Typical adult dose examples remain subject to patient factors, contraindications and the live BNF or specialist protocol. Source check completed 27 Aug 2026; clinical approval remains outstanding.