While the answer to this question is rarely a simple yes or no, the question can still be a valid one. The question is: can a psychiatrist force you to take medication? And what about your rights? Read on to find out. In some countries, it is possible to be forced into treatment for mental illness, even if you don’t have the mental capacity to do so. Other countries, on the other hand, may not have such strict laws, which can lead to abuse or worsening of a patient.
In one study of 79 patients in a psychiatric hospital, thirty percent refused to take medication. Eighty-seven patients strongly agreed that forced medication was beneficial while the other two patients disagreed or had no opinion. The patients who disagreed were more psychotic, had higher mood elevation, and were more grandiose. However, after two weeks, six of them no longer refused to take medication. However, they were still refusing the treatment despite improving their clinical conditions.
In addition to the medical benefits, a patient’s rights are at stake. While physicians are legally required to provide appropriate treatment for a patient, they can also use their power and expertise to withhold life-saving measures and delay the process. In this way, psychiatrists can take care of their patients judiciously and try to get them into regular care, while ensuring that they emphasize that the medication is just a stopgap measure. And they need to be aware that there is a high risk of malice in their patients. They must also be vigilant of potential criminal activity and avoid associating with people who are suspicious of them.
