Invited commentary on … When unbearable suffering incites psychiatric patients to request euthanasia.

Kelly, Brendan D · Br J Psychiatry · 2017

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Euthanasia is available in Belgium and Luxembourg for untreatable and unbearable suffering resulting from 'physical and/or psychological suffering that cannot be alleviated and results from a serious and incurable disease, caused by accident or illness'. Verhofstadt <i>et al</i>'s valuable analysis of testimonials from psychiatric patients requesting euthanasia demonstrates that elements of this suffering might well be alleviated. We should not kill our patients.

Medical subject headings