[PDF][PDF] Adolescent refusal of lifesaving treatment: are we asking the right questions?

DS Diekema - Adolescent Medicine-State of the Art Reviews, 2011 - researchgate.net
Adolescent Medicine-State of the Art Reviews, 2011researchgate.net
Case: Mary, a 19-year-old college student first consulted the adolescent medicine specialist
when she was 15-years-old for bulimia, depressed mood, and cutting. Her primary physician
felt overwhelmed by this, so the adolescent medicine consultant became her doctor. As
years went by, in spite of the efforts of an interdisciplinary team, her depression worsened,
she had 2 attempted suicides by overdose, followed by 2 psychiatric hospitalizations. In
spite of all this, she was a good student and was accepted into a prestigious nearby college …
Case: Mary, a 19-year-old college student first consulted the adolescent medicine specialist when she was 15-years-old for bulimia, depressed mood, and cutting. Her primary physician felt overwhelmed by this, so the adolescent medicine consultant became her doctor. As years went by, in spite of the efforts of an interdisciplinary team, her depression worsened, she had 2 attempted suicides by overdose, followed by 2 psychiatric hospitalizations. In spite of all this, she was a good student and was accepted into a prestigious nearby college. Unexpectedly one morning, while visiting her parents during spring break, she committed suicide by bag asphyxiation. This coincided with her therapist’s vacation. Her psychiatrist had recently changed her from an SSRI to a different kind of antidepressant. By a twist of fate she had an appointment to see him on the afternoon of the day that would be her last. The adolescent medicine physician who had been taking care of her learned about Mary’s suicide from the father. What can and what ought he to do next?
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