Patient’s Choice to Suicide v. Treater’s Duty to Prevent Suicide: Some Changing Clinical Dilemmas

The evolution of civil commitment procedures is seen as reflecting changing social & ethical values regarding individual liberty vs. protection of self & others. The dilemma of dealing with the modern suicidal patient places the psychiatrist at the interface of conflicting societal expectations. The legal aspects of civil commitment are seen as not necessarily compatible with the best clinical course for the suicidal patient. The relationship of civil commitment to treatment is briefly explored.