Citation

Szmukler G. J. Med. Ethics 2009; 35(10): 647-650.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/jme.2009.030395

PMID

19793948

Abstract

Whether treatment decision-making capacity can be meaningfully applied to patients with a diagnosis of "personality disorder" is examined. Patients presenting to a psychiatric emergency clinic with threats of self-harm are considered, two having been assessed and reviewed in detail. It was found that capacity can be meaningfully assessed in such patients, although the process is more complex than in patients with diagnoses of a more conventional kind. The process of assessing capacity in such patients is very time-consuming and may become, in itself, a therapeutic intervention.

Language: en

Keywords

Decision Making; Emergency Services, Psychiatric; Humans; Mental Competency; Personal Autonomy; Personality Disorders; Self-Injurious Behavior