Chapter 6

Patients who are experiencing serious suicidal thoughts are frequently hospitalized involuntarily. What are the advantages and disadvantages of forcing people to be hospitalized against their will?

Imagine that one of your close relatives has been depressed for several years. The person has not responded to previous forms of treatment (both medication and psychotherapy) and is now talking about committing suicide. Would you be willing to authorize a series of ECT for your relative? Why or why not?