Objective To investigate psychiatrists’perspectives towards conditions of using restraints， which is “act of disturbing medical order”and“no available alternatives”，according to Article 40 of the Mental Health Law of the People’s Republic of China，in order to provide basis for the improvement of related law and documents. Methods Psychiatrists from 6 psychiatric hospitals in Shanghai were surveyed by self-designedquestionnaire. And 393 questionnaires were withdrawn. Results “Attack others impulsively，destructing things，trying to run out of wards，pandemonium brake out，influencing other patients’rest，entanglingdoctors and nurses repeatedly，refusing to take medicine and refusing examinations”were considered as “act of disturbing medical order”in more than 50% psychiatrists. Effects of medical treatment or other treatments being not obvious（93.9%），invalid verbal dissuasion by medical staff （88.8%），limited manpower in wards （58.0%）and failing to take other measures owing to the urgent time（83.7%）were defined as“no available alternatives”by over 50% psychiatrists. Psychiatrists of different genders，educational background and titles showed significant differences on comprehension in “refusing rehabilitation activities”，“influencing other patients’rest”and “invalid verbal dissuasion by medical staff”，and“trying to run out of wards”and“limited manpower in wards”. Conclusions Psychiatrists’understanding on the conditions of using restraints is different. Thus it’s importantto perfect the Mental Health Law and promulgate detailed legal articles to regulate psychiatrists’behavior.