Psychiatric Advanced Directive/Psychiatric POA

[ceilng_tile]

So I just learned about something called a Psychiatric Advanced Directive which is a legal document where, when you're mentally "stable" you can indicate what medical treatment you want during a time when you're deemed mentally incapacitated, such as in the case of suicidality. You can also assign a Psychiatric Power of Attorney who will make decisions on your behalf if you yourself are not allowed to do so.

Does anyone have experience with these? Are you allowed to indicate that you refuse involuntary psychiatric treatment or hospitalization in all circumstances? And if your POA is someone who respects your wish to die, will that decision be legally challenged?

 

[Promised Heaven]

Don't know much about POA but in most countries you can't deny involuntarily treatment under the law (especially by court order, all protections you had before are temporarily voided).

In rare cases with the power of an attorney you can request a professional outside opinion while being involuntarily hospitalized if you feel like your mental state is misunderstood as "You need to be here longer" and you can gain freedom that way. That does require you to be mentally sound, not actively suicidal, and able to prove it to a medical and legal professional.

I'd fathom that everything you've written and planned will be ignored in the name of suicide prevention. It's the same reason why DNRs are often ignored when people attempt. You have the power to determine treatment (which hospital and psychologist you want when possible), not the denial of it.