title: Four Reasons Why Assisted Dying Should Not Be Offered for Depression.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Akershus University Hospital, Pb. 1000, N-1478, Lørenskog, Norway.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Blikshavn
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Tonje Lossius
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Husum
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway. magelssen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magelssen
mesh_terms: D026688:Bioethical Issues / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000941:ethics*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Assisted dying; Euthanasia; Major depression; Physician-assisted suicide; Treatment-resistant depression