Title |
Four Reasons Why Assisted Dying Should Not Be Offered for Depression
|
---|---|
Published in |
Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, December 2016
|
DOI | 10.1007/s11673-016-9759-4 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Thomas Blikshavn, Tonje Lossius Husum, Morten Magelssen |
Abstract |
Recently, several authors have argued that assisted dying may be ethically appropriate when requested by a person who suffers from serious depression unresponsive to treatment. We here present four arguments to the contrary. First, the arguments made by proponents of assisted dying rely on notions of "treatment-resistant depression" that are problematic. Second, an individual patient suffering from depression may not be justified in believing that chances of recovery are minimal. Third, the therapeutic significance of hope must be acknowledged; when mental healthcare opens up the door to admitting hopelessness, there is a danger of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Finally, proponents of assisted dying in mental healthcare overlook the dangers posed to mental-health services by the institutionalization of assisted dying. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Norway | 1 | 13% |
Canada | 1 | 13% |
Australia | 1 | 13% |
Spain | 1 | 13% |
Mexico | 1 | 13% |
United States | 1 | 13% |
Unknown | 2 | 25% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 5 | 63% |
Scientists | 2 | 25% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 13% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 1 | 1% |
Italy | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 84 | 98% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 19 | 22% |
Student > Bachelor | 17 | 20% |
Researcher | 8 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 5 | 6% |
Other | 4 | 5% |
Other | 14 | 16% |
Unknown | 19 | 22% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 25 | 29% |
Psychology | 12 | 14% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 9 | 10% |
Philosophy | 3 | 3% |
Linguistics | 2 | 2% |
Other | 13 | 15% |
Unknown | 22 | 26% |