Assisted Suicide: Whose is the decision?

This story was written by Fabian Stahle, a Swedish researcher, and published on August 15 as part of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition story contest (Contest link).

Link to the full story by Fabian Stahle (Story Link).

Fabian Stahle

A patient is depressed after receiving the diagnose of a serious illness and therefore wants to end it all. The doctor, who has known the patient for quite a long time, perceives the patient’s death wish as an indication of psychological stress, caused by the sense of hopelessness and fear of the future, and concludes that the patient, given the present depressive condition, is not capable to decide about such a final action. The doctor explains that the outcome is not absolutely certain, even though it looks serious, and seeks in this way to encourage the patient to take up the fight against the illness.

But the patient is not satisfied with this. He is afraid of the side-effects of an uncertain treatment and feels that his life is meaningless. And, once again he remembers his daughter’s silence when he talked about his thoughts about ending it all – no arguments, only silence.

Yes, he thinks to himself, this is the only decent thing I can do, and contacts another physician.

Link to the full story by Fabian Stahle (Story Link).