Psychiatric Euthanasia Call for Wider Discussion
Abstract
The article addresses the issue of psychiatric euthanasia, focusing on cases where the primary reason for a request for assisted death is a psychiatric condition. The author analyzes the concept of suffering, emphasizing its multifaceted nature, which includes physical, psychological, and existential dimensions. The discussion explores the competence of patients with psychiatric diagnoses, rejecting the generalization that such patients are incapable of informed decision-making. Furthermore, it differentiates between suicidal tendencies as a symptom of illness and a rational euthanasia request stemming from unbearable suffering. The article seeks a balanced debate on the permissibility of psychiatric euthanasia, considering ethical arguments, values, and equality in care.
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