8 years ago
7
Belgian doctors rule depressed 24-year-old woman has right to end her life
Doctors in Belgium have granted a medically depressed woman the right to end her own life. The 24-year-old woman, named only as ‘Laura’, told doctors she had suffered from depression since she was a child and wished to end her life, local newspaper De Morgen reported.
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http://www.independent.co.uk
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This is a slippery slope.
I find it very disturbing, TBH.
Given that depression affects our decision making and that the symptoms include suicidal ideation and lack of hope for the future it does seem very surprising that her doctors would feel that she has capacity to make this decision. But also interestingly the article mentions "terminal". Is her depression terminal? It would appear to at least be incurable (with current treatment options) and causing suffering but is that how the law is interpreted or is it simply a mistranslation?
This is remarkably disturbing, especially when you consider that one of the symptoms of depression is suicidality. How could they possibly decide this was the right decision to make?
yeah, I was thinking the same.. She was just 24. I get that being depressed is difficult and that she just wants a way out.. but somehow I believe that with hard work she could be happy by the time she hits 30 or 35...
Well, she said she tried everything (I'm guessing that would be meds, therapy, life-style change, etc.) and I'm sure the doctors made sure that euthanasia is the last option.
very disturbing-and the system for reporting these deaths is flawed.