The Compulsory Health Treatment (TSO) is an action applicable in case of justified need and clinic emergency, in presence of the refusal to Health Treatment Volunteer (TSV) in a subject suffering from specific illnesses, among which there are severe psychiatric illnesses.

The TSO is the subject of discussion, because it's actually an action that violates – even if only temporarily – the free will of the person. It's a procedure justified by the impossibility of applying alternative practices that ensure a speedy recovery to the subject of his psychic integrity, consistent with the need of the person.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology of TSO in Trieste between 2011 and 2013.

This retrospective study was conducted on 74 TSO performed at the CMHC and the Emergency Unit of Trieste, on 71 people (22 women, 49 men). Data analysis were on gender, diagnosis, TSO's days' number, frequency and significant changes during the TSO, with a comparison of these variables between the data of 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The number of people under TSO was the same in the three years, with a countertrend of gender (decrease of 30% of women; increase of 46% of men). There was a decrease about days of TSO in the three years.

It's necessary to implement practices that promote good cooperation from the subject, to establish a contractuality which allows to limit TSO only for time strictly necessary.