Resource Tag: TERMINAL ILLNESSES

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This article discusses the association between medical illness & suicide. Specific illnesses associated with an increased risk of suicide are reviewed. The terminally ill patient’s right to refuse life-sustaining treatments or to have death hastened is examined. Psychologists’ apparent acceptance of the concept of rational suicide, as well as assisted suicide under certain conditions, is […]

This article briefly presents a legal case from the U.K. in which a terminally ill woman with motor neuron disease wanted her husband to assist her commit suicide, & so asked the DPP for an assurance that he would not prosecute her husband. When the DPP refused, she sought a judicial order that the DPP […]

This document reviews the consequences of the End of Life Decisions Act – a draft bill in South Africa. Within this discussion, euthanasia is defined, the background of the Act is explored, its implications for the South African legal system are examined, & an overview of the Act itself is provided. (3 refs)

For the original position paper by L Snyder & D Sulmasy, please see SIEC #2004-1133

This article reviews several of the most common psychological disorders that arise in the context of terminal illness, including depression, anxiety, delirium, & suicidal ideation. Issues related to assessment, measurement, & differential diagnosis are reviewed. Case vignettes are presented regarding differential diagnoses of depression, anxiety, & delirium in 3 end-stage cancer patients. (48 refs)

For Part 1 of this report, please see SIEC #2004-0759

For commentary on this article, please see SIEC #2005-0581

In this article, the author provides a case scenario concerning the counseling of a client whose family member is planning suicide, followed by a discussion of pertinent legal & ethical issues. (25 refs)

The authors surveyed 50 caregivers of decedent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients from Oregon & Washington regarding perceptions of patients’ interest in assisted suicide & their physical & emotional state in the last month of life. According to the respondents, one-third of ALS patients discussed wanting assisted suicide in the last month of life, & […]

This article represents a Jewish contribution to the “right-to-die” debate that currently characterizes medical ethics, & explores whether Judaism recognizes a right to die. 4 major Jewish assumptions regarding the nature of life & death form the foundation of the author’s argument that Judaism rejects a right to die & supports the prolonging of life […]

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For various responses to this article, please see SIEC #2003-0242, #2004-0859, & #2005-0583

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For the original article by P Bascom & S Tolle, please see SIEC #2004-0858. For related commentaries, please see #2003-0242 & #2005-0583

This chapter clearly & categorically refutes the claims about assisted suicide & euthanasia that are seen almost constantly in the press. The authors review nine of the most common & most compelling arguments for legalizing physician-assisted suicide & demonstrate why these arguments are unpersuasive or misleading.

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This chapter attempts to outline some of the critical psychological considerations & the research literature that inform society’s current understanding of the difference between a wish to die, the waning of the will to live, & depression in patients nearing death.