Background: When a person suffers from mental illness, involuntary hospital admission can be necessary as a protection from self-harm or from hurting others. Involuntary hospital admission is often the last resort to help a patient. Patients who have been cared for involuntarily sometimes experience a lack of communication and information during the care. Many of these patients may need it several times during their lives. Individual action plans on how the caregiver should act could help the patient and help to minimize the patients' negative experiences of the care under compulsory admission.

Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight patients' experiences of involuntary psychiatric care.

Method: A literature-based study with the aim to contribute to evidence-based care with an analysis based on qualitative research were used. Ten scientific qualitative articles were analyzed.

Results: The results showed a mix of positive and negative emotions and experiences of being under involuntarily psychiatric care which are described under two main themes: To be given space as an individual and Having a mutual partnership.

Conclusion: Patients often felt powerless, uninformed and like their voice is not being heard. Lack of information was the biggest problem experienced by patients that resulted in a negative experience. Patients want their family to be included in the planning of their care. Patients' negative experiences could be reduced by further education for staff and by working person-centered.