Why was Myrna in handcuffs in The Pitt? Reason explored

Among the new and acclaimed medical dramas is The Pitt, which offers a unique story about the emergency department of a fictional hospital in Pittsburgh. Specifically, the fast-paced Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital.

What's different in The Pitt is how the show zooms in on the emotional and physical pressure doctors, nurses and medical students face — all within just 15 intense hours. Each episode represents one hour of a single workday, giving viewers a raw, unfiltered look at what it’s like to work in a high-stress ER where every second counts and decisions can mean life or death.

The drama is packed with several key physicians and nurses, with Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch being the focus. However, the narrative would've felt incomplete without other characters like Myrna White, played by actress Jeanette O'Connor.

While Myrna is a patient, she's always handcuffed in the hospital. The reason? Myrna suffers from seizures and it's a serious medical issue that can cause trouble not only for the patient but also for people around her at the hospital.

Seizures come suddenly, and for Myrna, the handcuffs act as a safety measure to prevent her from accidentally hurting herself or others. Since The Pitt doesn't answer this question right away, many fans might have always wondered why the lady always has handcuffs on.

Keep reading to learn more about patient Myrna in the medical drama.

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Who is Myrna in The Pitt? Why was she handcuffed at the hospital?

In The Pitt, Myrna White is a character who quietly but consistently makes her presence felt throughout the first season. She isn’t one of the main faces of the show, but her recurring appearances in the emergency department of Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital give her an important role in the larger story of the hospital’s day-to-day chaos.

Myrna is referred to in a medical context as a "returning patient." That is to say, she finds herself in the emergency ward more than once—either because her own health needs frequent treatment or due to the nature of her affliction causing ongoing flare-ups which bring her to return repeatedly.

Her underlying ailment is ultimately discovered late in the season: she has seizures. These are severe medical incidents that necessitate her being under close observation at all times. Seizures can be unpredictable and hazardous, so a person like Myrna must be watched over at all times.

That's probably why we usually see her handcuffed to a wheelchair—not because she's a prisoner, but as a precaution to protect her and prevent accidents in a busy ER. Myrna appears in the background for much of the series—she's a part of the hospital background.

She's not given sweeping storylines until the conclusion of The Pitt Season 1, but she's constantly there, consistently checked and subtly playing off the other characters. Her familiarity with the medical team shows that they’ve treated her many times before.

That format is fairly representative of life in real-world hospitals, in which some patients, particularly with ongoing or long-term problems, are familiar figures in the ER.

Also Read: What is Shabana Azeez's nationality? The Pitt actress' nationality and career, explored

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When Myrna went missing in The Pitt Season 1

One of the most intense moments in The Pitt Season 1 comes during a crisis at an event called PittFest. There’s a mass casualty situation, and the hospital becomes overwhelmed with new patients. In the shuffle, Myrna temporarily goes missing.

Because she’s someone who needs careful monitoring, her absence sparks concern, especially since having a seizure outside of medical care could be life-threatening. Luckily, the hospital staff managed to find her and bring her back in time and here the medical drama highlights just how vulnerable she is.

Myrna isn’t just portrayed as someone who needs help—she also has moments that show her strength and presence of mind. One scene stands out where she offers support to a nurse who has been assaulted. Even while restrained and dealing with her own health struggles, she shows emotional awareness and empathy, adding more layers to her character.

Overall, Myrna brings a sense of realism to The Pitt. She represents the kinds of patients that ER staff often care for: people whose situations are complicated, ongoing and not always fully understood. Her storyline gives viewers a glimpse into the long-term demands on hospital staff and the complex realities behind the scenes of emergency care.

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