RIGHT TO REFUSE TREATMENT

Any patient suffering from mental illness has the right to forgo any therapy which may prove harmful or invasive, such as psychoactive medications or electroshock therapy, especially if the efficacy is doubtful or detrimental to the patient's interests. Laws vary from state to state, but within the U.S., there are many court rulings which support this right, even though they lack cohesion and uniformity. See also: forced treatment. Any terminally ill individual has the right to deny administration of any treatment which aims to extend their lives. See also: right to die.