Medical Assistance in Dying for Psychiatric Disorders: A Critical Analysis of the Clinical, Ethical, and Societal Arguments

Nicoleta-Elena Heghes () and Claudia Ghita ()
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Nicoleta-Elena Heghes: Acad. Andrei Rădulescu Institute of Legal Research of the Romanian Academy
Claudia Ghita: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, Romania

RAIS Conference Proceedings 2022-2026 from Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies

Abstract: Medical assistance in dying has emerged as one of the most debated issues in contemporary bioethics, with growing attention to its extension beyond terminal somatic illnesses to include psychiatric disorders. While current discussions emphasize patient autonomy and the right to selfdetermination as fundamental principles, the application of assisted suicide in psychiatric contexts raises distinct clinical, ethical, and societal concerns. This article critically examines key arguments supporting physician-assisted suicide for individuals with mental illness, focusing on the challenges of determining irremediability, assessing decision-making capacity, and distinguishing autonomous choice from symptoms of the underlying disorder. Particular attention is given to the fluctuating course of psychiatric conditions, the absence of objective biomarkers, and the evolving landscape of therapeutic options, all of which complicate prognostic certainty. Finally, the analysis explores concerns related to vulnerability, social pressure, and the potential normalization of assisted death in contexts marked by stigma and structural inequities. The paper argues for heightened caution in extending medical assistance in dying to psychiatric populations given these unresolved complexities.

Keywords: Medical Assistance; Dying; Psychiatric Disorders; Psychiatric Conditions; Suicide (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 8 pages
Date: 2026-03
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Published in Proceedings of the 43rd International RAIS Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, March 12-13, 2026, pages 85-92

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