straightjacket
Asylum restraint garment
A straightjacket is a garment with long sleeves that wrap around and fasten behind, used to restrain people who might harm themselves or others—historically in psychiatric institutions.
The spelling straitjacket, from strait meaning narrow or confining, is technically more accurate, but straightjacket dominates in everyday use.
Figuratively, anything that severely restricts freedom: bureaucratic straightjackets, the straightjacket of tradition.
Narrow securing bands
- buckleFrame-and-prong fastener
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- leatherTanned animal skin
- fasteningsDevices that secure together
bind · immobilization · tighten · confinement · restriction · constraint · encasement · cuff
Famous escape artist
- escapologyArt of freeing oneself
- extricateFree from entanglement
- wriggleTwisting, snakelike movement
- contortionUnnatural twisting or bending
dislocate · flexibility · illusionist · breakout · liberation · slip · maneuver · struggle
Established organization or custom
- wardProtected person; division
- psychiatricOf mental health treatment
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
- mentalOf the mind
padded cell · inmate · patient · commitment · involuntary · treatment · historical · sanatorium
Limiting condition or rule
- limitationBound on extent
- restrictionLimit on action
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
conformity · stifling · rigidity · trapped · bound · oppressive · liberating · breaking free
straps
Narrow securing bands
fastenings · bind · immobilization · tighten · confinement · restriction · constraint · encasement · cuff · secure
Houdini
Famous escape artist
- escapologyArt of freeing oneself
- extricateFree from entanglement
- wriggleTwisting, snakelike movement
contortion · dislocate · flexibility · illusionist · breakout · liberation · slip · maneuver · struggle · loosen
institution
Established organization or custom
- wardProtected person; division
- psychiatricOf mental health treatment
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
mental · padded cell · inmate · patient · commitment · involuntary · treatment · historical · sanatorium · orderly
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- limitationBound on extent
- restrictionLimit on action
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
regulation · conformity · stifling · rigidity · trapped · bound · oppressive · liberating · breaking free · flexibility
insanity
Severe mental illness
- psychosisSevere reality detachment
- lunacyExtreme irrational foolishness
- derangementDisturbed mental state
mania · delusion · hysteria · violent · dangerous · unhinged · disturbed · crisis · episode · breakdown
- madnessmadness, lunacy, insanity, mania, schizophrenia
- prison equipmenthandcuffs, shackles, prison bars, cell bars, bars
- restraintshandcuffs, shackles, chains, ropes, cuffs
- psych wardspsychiatric hospital, psych ward, mental ward, locked ward, padded cell
straightjacketfreedom of movement
Liberty to travel unimpeded
unbound · unfettered · freedom · loose clothing · unrestricted
straightjacketfreedom
Absence of constraint
liberation · flexibility · free rein · carte blanche · autonomy
straightjackettalk therapy
Psychological treatment via conversation
therapeutic care · patient-centered care · humane treatment · supportive therapy · counseling
straight, jacket, straighten, jackets, straightforward, jacketed, straights, straightness, straitjacket