title: Psychiatric assessment of the suicidal terminally ill.
abstract: Terminally ill patients who refuse life-supporting treatments and express a wish to die are often viewed in the same light as suicidal patients who are medically well. Terminally ill patients who are depressed should be treated with antidepressants, but if the wish to die persists, it should be respected.
authors.affiliation: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Burnell
mesh_terms: D016638:Critical Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D016224:Living Wills / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013405:Suicide; D014481:United States