An article is published on euthanasia for people who are suffering from psychiatric disorders or dementia in Belgium. It reports the prevalence of euthanasia in cases with a psychiatric disorder or dementia disorder since the implementation of the euthanasia law in Belgium in 2002.
The researchers identified 179 reported euthanasia cases with a psychiatric disorder or dementia diagnosis. Most cases were cases in which the diagnosis was a mood disorder. The category ‘mood disorder’ also has the most evident increase in the absolute number of euthanasia over the years.
The majority of cases concerned women (58.1% in dementia, 77.1% in mood disorders).
All cases were judged to have met the legal requirements by the Committee. The researchers conclude that although euthanasia for people who are suffering from psychiatric disorders or dementia remains a limited practice, they see a rise in prevalence since 2008. The development of practice guidelines is therefore all the more desirable.
Read the article full here.
