Here's a link to the case study for your first forum assignment, and for group work on Wednesday (it's actually a discussion of several related cases).Your forum assignment has two parts. Please complete Part 1 by no later than midnight on Monday night. Your colleagues will need time to read your comment and respond. Please complete Part 2 by no later than midnight on Tuesday night. Everyone in the class will need a chance to read all of the comments and response by class on Wednesday.
Part 1
Read the article carefully and think about it for at least 10 minutes before you begin to write anything. Walk around and mull it over for a while.Now, jot your thoughts down in a word processing file or on a piece of scrap paper. I still don't want you to write anything in comments, yet. Think about all of the complicated issues that arise on each side of this issue. What do you think are the best reasons to give people who have severe anorexia nutrition against their wishes? What do you think are the best reasons to follow the wishes of those with severe anorexia, who don't want to ingest any calories? What might someone object to the reasons you've written?
Okay, now compose your best answer to the questions below. Write your answer in a word processing program so that you can edit it easily, and so that it doesn't get lost if there's a glitch in uploading your comments. Include your first name and last initial at the top of your comment.
- What do you think the default rule should be, with regard to people with severe anorexia, who will starve to death without nutrition, but who object to any nutrition? Should they be "fed" against their will (this usually involves a stomach tube or an intravenous line)?
- Why do you think so? Give your best three reasons.
I'd like you to spend at least 30 minutes thinking about and composing your answer, not including the time it took you to read the article. A good answer will show careful reflection on the question; will demonstrate that you've thought about some of the complexities involved and that you've taken seriously issues that arise on both sides of the issue. Further, a good answer will include a detailed explanation of your reasoning. Each of your reasons should constitute at least a paragraph of text. This part of the assignment is worth 75 points.
Once you've finished composing your answer, save it, and then copy it. Click on the "comments" link (in orange) below (the link will say "no comments" if you're the first person to answer, or "# comments" once others have posted). Copy your answer into the text box that appears. Right underneath the comment box, you'll see a drop down menu that says "comment as." Choose "anonymous" and then click on "Publish." Your comment should appear beneath the post. If you comment doesn't appear, send me an email.
Part 2
Give your colleagues several hours to post their own answers to the questions above, and then come back and read the comments. Choose a comment that you think is particularly interesting, and that you think you can respond to in an interesting way.Type your response in a word processing program. Include your first name and last initial at the top of your response.
A good response will push the discussion forward in some way. You might (politely and respectfully) disagree with the person you're responding to and say why; you might ask that person a question to help flesh out her/his idea; you might take the original comment as a jumping off point and add some new ideas of your own. DON'T just tell someone that you agree with his/her comment and repeat their points using slightly different words.
Your response should show carefully consideration and reflection, and should include a detailed account of your own reasons for the ideas you express.
Once you've finished composing your response, save it, and then copy it. Find the original comment that you're responding to (NOT your original comment - your colleague's comment). Click on "reply," below that comment. Paste your response into the comment box that appears. Choose "anonymous" from the drop down menu, and then click on "publish."
I'd like you to spend at least 20 minutes thinking about and composing your response, aside from the time it took you to read your colleagues' comments. This part of the assignment is worth 50 points.
Let me know if you have any trouble opening the link.
Audrey C.
ReplyDeleteThe rule should be that this is a real disease, that should be taken seriously and persons suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN) should be offered extensive psychological therapy. Psychological factors need to be addressed and treated, and while some patients do need to be admitted to medical facilities, feeding should not be forced. Patients with AN are a threat to themselves, but individuals have to recognize that there is a problem significant enough for them to seek out and accept appropriate treatment.
First, early detection/prevention and psychological evaluations need to be offered and highly recommended because without understanding the underlying psychological factors, the patient is more likely to resist and/or deny treatment and later relapse. Second, forced-feeding, in itself, could be seen as a form of abuse. Eating is important to survival, but once it becomes forced, it becomes invasive without permission, and from a medical stance, is unethical. Third, patients have the right to deny and/or accept treatment as they see fit for themselves despite the idea that starving oneself, and not getting treatment, may lead to death and seem unreasonable from an outsiders point of view.
A. Alghazali
Deletethe default form of treatment for someone who is dieing has to be force feeding otherwise you take the chance while your supposedly diagnosing the disease of the patient falling into a worst statue then malnutrition namely death.
Carlin S
ReplyDeleteI feel that the default rule for people with severe anorexia is that they should be force fed. The first reason I believe so is because the illness affects how the brain functions. People with the illness may say they don’t want to be fed but they might not be thinking clearly. People with anorexia shouldn’t have to keep suffering even if they don’t want to be helped.
The second reason I feel they should be force fed is because of the pain that is caused. People with anorexia are starving themselves over a long period of time. During this time they are slowly dying day by day. Giving them treatment can stop the pain and help prolong life.
The third reason I feel they should be force fed is because death shouldn’t be a option if there is treatment available. The point of having doctors is to cure people. If there is something that can be done to help then it needs to be done. Doctors should do a better job of trying to treat the patient instead of making the excuse that treating them is to hard.
Mark B.
Deletei agree with what you posted. the illness does affect the function of the brain and not being able to obtain enough food can make you not really think. Pain is also a good topic that i agree on because like you said "treatment can stop the pain" and that pain from starving is pretty bad i've tried it before. and death shouldn't be an option; there are treatments available but doctors do try the best they can it's not just doctors but also the patients that give them a hard time.
Georgina S.
ReplyDeletePeople suffering from severe cases of anorexia nervosa should not be force fed. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychological disorder and patients suffering from this disorder who are force fed and have recovered are more at risk to return to their dangerous habits and thus any force feeding would do more harm than good. The immediate physical issue of their weight and health could be resolved by being force fed but then the psychological aspect of the problem will remain unless it is dealt with by a professional and so it is more likely to return.
Although AN patients are causing very slow and severe harm to themselves (and others around them), they are generally competent and rational enough to understand the severity of their situation and are therefore able to make decisions for themselves that should be respected. Even if it is a very difficult for a doctor (or anyone of sound mind) to let someone die a slow and painful death, the patients wishes should be always be respected; especially considering that the patient has understood the consequences of their actions and that the final result could be death.
Force feeding would cause a lot of distress for anyone, especially an AN patient, and the stress caused could heighten and prolong any pain and distress they could be feeling. If a patient has already decided to not get any help and has entered the most severe stage of their illness, the people around them should assist in trying to help make the rest of their life comfortable and give them the least pain possible.
Carlin S
DeleteI like your point of view about the issue and it made me think about the subject in a different way. I agree with the psychological consequences of force feeding and how in the end it can cause more harm than good. Even though I still feel force feeding is the best option I like your point that patients should also receive professional mental help as part of the treatment. If they want to let themselves die slowly somebody needs to get them out of that mindset.
Chelsea B.
Delete“…patients suffering from this disorder who are force fed and have recovered are more at risk to return to their dangerous habits…”
Relative to a patient who does not receive treatment and therefore continues the habit? With treatment there is a chance to become well, and naturally not everyone recovers hence the “risk”, but what is the risk of trying? One end is ultimately pain, mental anguish, physical health issues, and death while the path of treatment offers hope and a real chance of recovery.
“The immediate physical issue of their weight and health could be resolved by being force fed but then the psychological aspect of the problem will remain unless it is dealt with by a professional and so it is more likely to return.”
This is a great point. While force feeding resolves the issue of weight AN is a disorder requiring psychological and behavioral treatment. If a patient is to be force fed post treatment therapy should be required to ensure the patient has full opportunity to recover.
“…they are generally competent and rational enough to understand the severity of their situation and are therefore able to make decisions for themselves…the patients wishes should be always be respected; especially considering that the patient has understood the consequences of their actions and that the final result could be death.”
Competent = capable of or having ability
Rational = reasonable
Perhaps the patient is able to get themselves ready in the morning, socialize, play, interact, or go to work, but do they really possess the ability to comprehend what is happening to them? Many times when a human is faced with self evaluation the mind is more likely to decide that everything else is incorrect rather than to change its own view. Such a change in perspective would require altering all preconceived ideas the biggest issue being the individual’s capacity to accept they may be wrong. This is especially prevalent in those estranged from general society. So when a patient is told to eat or they may die it can be inferred that their attitude may lean more towards the idea that it won’t happen to them or possibly they do not have a problem at all; a state of denial. Denial generally contradicts the fundamentals of understanding. AN patients, at least a portion there in, are not fully aware of what they are doing to themselves.
Thoughts: Imagine you suffered from AN for a moment, what you would look like, fee like, live like… Now with your rationale as a healthy individual can you really accept the idea of starving yourself to death as a sane mode of living?
As a society we are a group of individuals living together attempting mutual understanding and common ground. This ethical dilemma is not just about the patient, it affects those around them including the family. Is it not their right to want to see their child or sibling revived to a normalized state of health?
For society at large, think about what causes this disorder. The existence of Anorexia Nervosa is a wake up call, or should be. Why do these patients suffer? What causes their unhealthy body image? Do we as individuals contribute to the negativity which spawns this disorder?
To each his own
Loan H.
ReplyDeleteThe default rule should be that the Anorexia nervosa (AN) patients need to be forced to eat. In my opinion, even though people have their right to do anything they want, however, if they do not eat, the negative outcome not only impact themselves but also others people around them. As a result, they should be "fed" against their will. Three main reasons are:
First, it will be the costly not only for the patient but also for others in our society. For instance, if these people do not want to eat, they may not die immediately and they will create a lot of issues. These costs could become a negative impact to the economy since we need to pay more healthcare expenses for these patients. They may include the expenses for doctor visits, supplement food, or medicine, and etc… Moreover, since most of them do not have the sufficient energy to go to work, they may not have any money to pay these expenses. As a result, these costs will come back to the social security expenses. In this situation, the economy is not doing well currently will become even worse.
Second, we need to consider the time of others who have to spend to take care of AN patients since they cannot do anything by themselves. If these patients are forced to eat, they may feel better. As a result, their doctors can spend time to help other patients and their family members can have time to go back to work instead of taking care of them.
Third, there is no excuse for these people who have food and do not want to eat when there are a lot of people do not have enough food to eat. Everyday many people die because of poverty and starving in the world. Therefore, it is extremely ridiculous when they reject available food. These patients should be forced to eat to get the energy they need and to become a normal people without bother others to support them. As a result, it will bring the benefits to our society as a whole.
Sarah H.
DeleteLoan, I agree that providing care for patients with AN can be costly but I do not think that force feeding them will solve the problem. If you force feed the patients without solving the underlying psychological issue, then they will just quit eating again once released because they have not changed their negative mindset. This back and forth to the hospital will cost more money in the long run. Forcing the patients to eat may help them feel better physically, but not mentally. It may even cause the patient to become more depressed from being forced to do something that they do not want to do. I know I do not like to be forced to do anything, do you?
In your response it kind of came across that patients with AN are ruining the lives of the people around them which, I am sure was not your intention. AN patients are not trying to cause anyone pain, not even for themselves. They are trying to diminish the pain they feel caused by the negative image of themselves seen in the mirror. Much of the time, they keep their eating disorder to themselves and are very secretive of their actions so their family is not spending all of their time providing care. And I am sure the patient’s family just wants to help in any way they can to help their loved one get better. I doubt that anyone with a family member with anorexia will think that that member is a burden.
I also do not believe that your third reason is a good one for why we should force feed patients with anorexia. I do not feel that poverty should be compared to the issue of anorexia.
Anthony R.
DeleteLoan you give many good points on why people with anorexia should be helped. I agree that it is not fair for someone to neglect food which is available to them everyday, while someone else in other unfortunate countries are starving, praying for their next meal. I also agree that the disease is costly and that the patient not getting help causes unnecessary obstacles. It is easier and more beneficial to help them out instead of not giving them the proper nutrition they need to survive.
To add on to your points, a person with anorexia should be treated like any other suffering from a disease. We should at least attempt to find a cure for them so that they can have a better life. It wouldn't be fair to them or to anyone for that matter if we rejected giving them what they need to survive.
Mark B.
ReplyDeleteThe default rule that should be fore anyone who has severe anorexia is to be fed (force fed) regardless to a certain point where their nutrition is stable. Reason being is...
First with severe anorexia you are technically causing yourself a slow death because you are starving yourself.
Second you are making your body suffer which can affect your mind and also can make you body "shut down" due to the fact you have low nutrition that your body can consume making your body have more difficulty to function.
Lastly, if they (people with severe anorexia) aren't force fed, they will continue to not give their body enough nutrition and give other patients a difficult time because doctors would have to treat them before others since the anorexia is severe.
L.T.
DeleteI agree, the first step is to feed them to try to help them recover.
Mark, this is a good start, but you want to say some more about your first two reasons. As they're written, they're medical facts about the situation, not yet reasons for believing that your conclusion is true. Because you think your conclusion is the right one, you're thinking that the dire medical circumstances make it obviously true, but think about all the reasons people have raised to respect the patient's wishes. Say more about why you think the medical dangers of the situation make it so that the patient should be kept alive against her will.
DeleteMuang P.
ReplyDeleteI believe that, although this is a real disease, like any other, one should not be forced to do anything they do not want to do. I understand that if we step back, and do not do anything, it may seem as though we are accomplices to this slow suicide. But what is really right or wrong? Everyone’s morals and values are different. I believe that although this person may have not stated that dying is what they are trying to accomplish but are at such a severe stage of anorexia nervosa, why let them suffer more? Everyone suffers that’s involved. Yes, watching someone slowly dying and not doing anything about it may feel horrible, but honestly, we are all slowly dying.
Rexx S.
DeleteI disagree you, because by following that method AN patients will go through more pain than needed. Someone dying a slow painful death is possibly the worst thing a person can go through. Even though you mentioned that we are all dying slowing, that can mean in a graceful way for some whereas for AN patients that’s never the case. Also you put the ones you love under enormous amount of stress choosing to be selfish in not wanting to help yourself. Force feeding can save patients giving them a second opportunity in life which in reality is what every AN patient wants.
Rolando V.
DeleteI'm completely agree with you Muang. Although AN is a disease that affects several things about a person, including their thought process, they should not be force fed. There are cases where patients have been force fed to temporary treat themselves, but right after, they either are ripping out the tubes or back to refusing treatment.
Another point I would like to point out is that some parents of patients won't even allow their child to be force fed. If someone's own parents won't force nutrients upon their child, then why should doctors be able to?
Alexis P.
DeleteI agree, and understand exactly where you're coming from. shouldnt no one be forced to do anthing it all depends on them but at the same time they need it so they can get better and healthier.
Cathy S.
ReplyDeleteThe rule should be to feed them against their will while giving them psychiatric help. If the disease is so far gone that they are on the brink of death, they should be forced into a hospital that will help them cope with the eating disorder until they are well enough to live on their own. By the time they have to be forced into a hospital it is the doctor’s duty to do whatever it takes to keep their patient alive. The patient isn’t well enough to make the decision on whether or not to eat; the decision should be left to a close family member or the doctor him/herself.
Even if they are competent in their daily lives, the disease, anorexia nervosa, is distorting the way they think and making it impossible for them to rely on their own judgment when it comes to their health or eating habits. With psychiatric help they will have a better chance at surviving and they can be with a group of people with the same problem as them and realize what they are truly doing to themselves. It may be difficult for other people to handle people with anorexia nervosa but it is harder for the person with the disease to see past themselves and get help. So it is up to other people to be able to see the signs ahead of time and to get their friend or family member the help they need before it is to late.
Audrey C.
DeleteI too started with some of the same ideas that you have come up with as to why patients should be force-fed (i.e. not being able to rely on the patient’s state of mind and doctor’s should keep patients alive). I do agree that psychological help along with eating, even just a little, would be ideal, but how would it be possible to keep a patient admitted to a hospital or facility, and on a feeding tube, if they didn’t want the help being provided? Not to say that the doctor would simply be wiping his hands clean of the situation, but where is the line drawn, if any, between the doctor’s duties and the rights and will of a patient suffering from AN? What kind of negative affect(s), if any, might force-feeding have on a patient?
Cathy S.
DeleteThey way I thought about it after a while made me think of a suicidal person. they are forced into a hospital with people trained to help them through their mental disease for a period of time (maybe a day or two depending on how serious the case may be) where they get treated for their wounds but also get psychiatric help. That same method can be applied to someone with a severe case of AN. A person suffering from AN may not be suicidal in the same way but they are willing to die instead of getting the help they need. After their forced stay at the hospital, when they might be feeling better the doctor would be forced to leave the choice up the patient on whether to leave or stay. The patient may choose to leave and keep on living with AN or they can choose to stay and fight the disease. Even when they’re screaming and fighting the feeding tube that isn’t them fighting the help it is the disease taking over their self control. With psychiatric help they can get through it. Without the psychiatric help and only force feeding that is where the real problem is. I don’t see AN as just an eating disorder it is a mental disorder that can only end in death if you don’t take the time needed to help that person even if they don’t think they want it. They need it.
Rolando V.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do not believe that there should be a "default rule" for something like anorexia, I would have to say that all patients suffering from the disease should receive treatment up until the point that they refuse it. Meaning they should not be force fed. Even though AN is a serious disease, the patient is making their own decision to receive or refuse the treatment. Once the patient refuses treatment, I believe that answer is what should be followed regardless of what anyone has to say. Choosing to be force fed or not is almost like the decision to be resuscitated after going to cardiac arrest. It should not be treated any differently. Doctors, caregivers, family, etc., should respect the decision made by the patient even if it doesn't result positively.
Loan H.
DeleteI think you have some really good points. I agree that the patients have the right to make their own decision to receive or refuse the treatment. However, in this severe situation, beside the benefits for the patients, we should also consider the impact of the patients to other people surrounding them. Let say if they do not want to receive the treatment, their illness could not have a chance to be cured. However, they also may not die immediately. As a result, it may increase a lot of cost from financial and labor to help these patients since they could barely do something by themselves. In that case, who will have to suffer these costs for them? Obviously, our society has to deal with it. Here, it is obviously that everyone has the right to do anything they want, but we need to help them out when their minds are not clear enough to make wisely decision for themselves.
Rolando, two interesting points and I like your argument by analogy. You've only given two reasons for your conclusion here - do you want to add another?
DeleteRolando V.
DeleteI guess I would also add that if the situation was taken out of the idea of AN, that if anyone said "no" to anything they would expect their decision to be followed and same goes with saying "yes" to something.
You can't force anyone to do anything and you can't help someone if they don't want it. The most one can do is try to help them realize they need help.
Diego P
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think anorexia nervosa is an important issue its also a psychological disorder that should be really considered by many people like it is in the medical field I think that nobody should be forced to be feed through any kind of tube, but if the person feels like nothing will help them receive any kind of nutrition when trying to eat or even with a tube in them it is a good idea. It’s also up to the person body to accept the food that being put into him or her I also think that for some it is to late to try any kind medical help once there body or system shuts down there so much to try to get it working again and have someone eat to become or even be considered at a “healthy” weight.
First I think that people who have an eating disorder or even think they have this disorder should prevent this at an early stage of the disorder so it can prevent something like death by not giving our bodies the proper food that we need to live long even though most people would ignore early kind of help due to the fact that they don’t see what there doing by starving themselves is a major issue. Secondly, I think that doctors who say that it’s their job to help others but yet some doctors think that giving up on a person is the best thing to do I personally think that giving up or turn them down for treatment is not an option and should not be considered when it comes to a patients health or life, thirdly I feel that the parents of the child who is being forced fed should not give up on their kids even though its a tiring thing in the end its still their child and they should not give up on their child.
Camille M.
DeleteI agree with the idea that people with early signs of AN should already go and get treated enablr to prevent any further harm. In fact, doctors should find more ways to raise AN awareness because it is a Psychological disorder that may not be recognized until it is obvious(and in that case, already severe). In that sense, force feeding wouldnt even be an option. It is difficult for any patient to undergo any type lf treatment that has to do with forcing the body to accept things that many it may be incaple of accepting, that is why I believe that force feeding, just any other treatment should require the patients consent.
Jasmeen C.
DeleteI strongly agree with the first reason that an eating disorder should be prevented in it's early stage because that way there would be less cases of eating disorders in their critical stage.That way it would be harder for doctors to give up on the patient with the eating disorder and the parents or loved ones of the patient won't have to watch them suffer.
Susanna V.
ReplyDeleteI think that the default rule for people who have Anorexia Nervosa (AN) should be that they are Force Fed because Severe Anorexia is a disease that affects the mind and judgments of people. It gives them the illusion that they should not eat, which is not the patients fault, since it is so severe that it becomes uncontrollable, to the point that it takes a toll on their lives and it eventually leads to death. Ethically, it would be wrong to force someone to eat but in a situation when it is out of the person hands they should be forced. Why let someone die when it’s the mental illness causing it? The first reason I believe force feeding should be used on people with Anorexia Nervosa is that although it is very challenging to treat someone with this kind of disorder, at least they have someone who is trying their very best to treat them when they can’t help themselves. The second reason is that it’s all in their head, the article said people with AN don’t pose a threat to themselves nor are they suicidal or have the desire to die. It’s just their mind telling them otherwise. The third reason is that it gives them hope, even though it may seem like they don’t want the help, it could possibly be just the illness taking over because why would they go to get help in the first place? If they didn't want the help they wouldn't have said anything and just kept to themselves.
Amandeep Kaur
DeleteI am agree with you that Anorexia is a disorder which affects the mind due to which the patients are unable to make right decisions for themselves. It is better to save the life of a person by force fed rather than leaving his/her to starve and die because the disorder affects the mind to make decisions which are good for them.
Rexx S.
ReplyDeleteThe default rule should be that Anorexia nervosa (AN) patients should be forced to eat. The main issues of this disease should be addressed to the patients so that they realize the serious risks ahead. In my opinion this is a very serious disease and for AN patients should not be taken lightly.
First, refusing to eat will eventually cost someone their life and they will die a slow painful death. Even though AN patients are not considered suicidal, choosing not to eat knowing you’ll die pretty much puts them in that category. By force feeding them they would regain their weight, become stronger, and could start living a healthy life again. Sometimes in life you have to do things you don’t like to go in order to survive which is something AN patients have to realize.
Second, this disease not only puts a strain on you but your family and friends as well. Choosing to do this to yourself drives them crazy and can leave your parents in a depression stage. Also AN patients make a doctors job extremely more complicated because while they’re caring for you that’s less time they can spend you someone who has an even worse disease like cancer. Being force feed you can save you and doctors way less trouble then forcing not to be.
Third, this disease makes people very weak unable to walk in some situations and affects your brain tremendously. Most times you are unable to think and you start making decisions you wouldn’t normal make. People become tired more often and spend most days on a hospital bed letting life pass them bye. Force eating can fix this and give tons of people a chance to survive and not spend the rest of their life in misery.
Akwasi A
DeleteWell stated it not only affects patients with (AN), but also affects the patients loved ones. I absolutely agree with you on that, not only is the patient suffering, but his loved ones are also suffering and going through pain too. So having the option to be forced fed not only should be the patients decision it should also be the parents decision. Another point you brought up that is very important is it’s also making the doctors job more difficult when an (AN) patient refuses to be forced fed. Although, it’s the doctors responsibility to take care of patients that are in need a patient who has (AN) is not as important as a patient with cancer. So (AN) patients will not only help themselves get better by being forced fed, but will also help doctors give time to other patients who are severely sick and can’t be treated right away
Kim M
ReplyDeleteI believe that the default rule for patients whom are suffering from severe anorexia should be forced fed against their will.
Firstly, Anorexia nervosa is a psychological problem that clearly affects a person’s decision making process that goes against what a person knows is wrong and knowing that what they are doing is detrimental to their life, they still do it because their brain is telling them to. The disease itself stops them psychologically from wanting to eat. They do not chose to have the disease, they do not chose to no eat, so they do have the right mind set to choose whether or not to receive nutrition in dire circumstances. It is in the best interest for the doctor to force feed the patient with severe AN. They can’t think straight to make choices to live so they need someone make the choice for them.
Second, I believe it is better to hope for a positive outcome rather than a negative. We should hope that once they found help the person suffering from AN by providing nutrition, we should provide all the necessary treatments such as therapy, counseling, and rehab. I need not only to focus on the AN issues alone but how their decisions on their way of living is affecting not only them but the others around them.
Lastly, if the patient is presented to the hospital and SEEKS help but they aren’t accepting the help because their disease is telling them not to, this should give the doctor more of a reason to help. The patient knows, that what they are doing is killing them, they know that they need help, they know what is needed to be done to not die and they do not want to die so they are at the one place to get that help. But their disease isn’t giving them a choice because they can’t choose something that will help them live when it was the sole reason they are there. Their subconscious is trying to reach out but the disease like any other is stronger than their will power to live and that’s when they needs us the most to make the life saving decision that they ultimately cannot.
Susanna V.
DeleteI agree with your reasons Kim. I myself believe that if AN patients are seeking for help that they do want to get better but it is their mind telling them otherwise. It's basically up to the physicans and whoever is helping them to know that it's probably just a cry for help and that if they didn't want to recover from this disease they wouldn't have want to get help in the first place. They would have just said nothing. I also agree that people should hope for a postivie outcomes because it could possbily save the AN pateints lives and that if the force feeding does help the patient they could become heathlier, it could give them them the strength to stay strong and their mind set might change when they get the nurtition they need in their systems, which could possbily improve their thinking. And if the force feding was to fail, at least the patient knew and had hope that they were being help in the best way possbile because not only is the diease affecting the AN patients but it also affects their family and friends. And if they all had that light of hope, it could show the AN patients that they have a big support system and make the AN patients feel a little relief even if they don't show it because of the disease and what it is doing to them. Support is a major thing when it comes to these types of illness.
Michael Chavez
ReplyDeleteSometimes it might not be their fault that their body doesn’t want food, their body might be used to not eating anymore while the persons with the problem wants to eat but cant. Even though some people refuse to eat food, their probably so use to not eating anymore they lose their appetite. Some people may disagree with me because some may say that is how they want to be. i do believe patients with severe an should be forced because eventually they will get sick and die.
L.T.
DeleteI agree with you.
Michael, this is an interesting point and a great ground for discussion. You've only given one reason for your position on the issue - can you add two more?
DeleteMichael c
DeleteSome other reason is that the disease might had already taken control of their eating habits so the person may not know that its not normal to eat. last reason is that its not fair for the family members to see their loved ones die even though they don't want too.
Alicia Flores
ReplyDeleteI do believe that those with severe anorexia should be force fed against their will. These patients are not in the correct state of mind. What now seems normal to them is far from normal. These patients have already accustomed their bodies to believing that not eating is okay. I do not believe they should choose whether they should die from starvation or do the right thing and be fed. i think it would be more probable for them not to want the nutrition because that is what they perceive as normal but it is important for those who know that they need help to help them. Although it is a difficult topic to discuss there are a lot of individuals that have eating disorders and it is important for them to get the help they need before it gets to the point where they have to either choose to eat or die.
I agree with you somewhat. I do think people with this disorder need to be helped before it is too late and they have no choice but to die. But for those who are in the correct state of mind and still want to continue life without treatment and die, let them die.
DeleteAlicia, interesting point about the possibility that one's sense of the world in general has been skewed by the disease. You've given two reasons above for your position on the issue. Can you add one more?
DeleteAlicia Flores
DeleteI also believe that it is not fair for those family members that want there relatives to get help to not get the help that they need. It is an disease that not only impacts the patients but the families as well. The family should get pointers and advice on how they can help their family member and hopefully impacting them enough so they can get better.
shaniera O
ReplyDeleteAlthough extreme cases such as anorexia I believe that the choice should be left up to someone that is psychologically coherent. The reason I believe this is because anorexia is an eating mental disorder making it hard for them to make proper decisions regarding their health first by anorexia being a psychological problem it automatically puts them in at risk category because they are refusing to eat which is obviously a severe problem. Second by them not wanting to eat makes them on a verge of being suicidal because if your body does not get the nutrition it needs and you completely starve yourself your body will eventually shut down causing a slow agonizing death. Third if you starve yourself it not only takes a toll on you mentally physically and emotionally it takes a toll on family friends and doctors as well because they start to take more and more time out of their day to make sure a person suffering from anorexia is fed and well taken care of so they don’t starve themselves or reject proper medication.
Silvia O.
ReplyDeletePeople suffering from severe cases of severe anorexia nervosa should be force-fed. Patients suffering from this disorder who are force-fed have a much higher chance of living a longer life than those who are not forced fed. While this method also risks pushing those who suffer from anorexia nervosa even further into their dangerous habits, it gives them the chance to regain their will power to accept a road to recovery.
If those who suffer from severe anorexia nervosa are not forced feed it should be viewed as allowing someone die because actions to lead them into recovery are not being done. Each day that they go without eating is a day closer their death. As the article notes starvation alters how the brain functions, so while it may seem like torture for patients to be forced feed, it is the only way that they will eat. These patients are not in their right state of mind. Anorexia is considered to be one of the deadliest psychological illnesses. Before patients are force-fed they should be provided with intensive psychological help, so that they do not return to their old ways afterward. The patients know that the disease is killing them, but their will power is taken over by the mental health refusing to accept the help they so desperately need.
I agree totally, I think that the psychological help should continue after treatment of force feeding. Just for argument sake, if a person has had treatment and continue to relapse should it be left up to that person to force fed or not? Should that person be force fed again given the fact of constant relapse? Or should there be a limit to treatment services?
DeleteEbony K
I agree with you, I believe that anorexia people should be forced fed even if they do not want to because losing a life is not worth it.
DeleteS.O
L.T.
ReplyDeleteThe first step should be to help all the patients try to recover from the disorder. It is never too late to try and help someone turn their life around. If they are undoubtedly on the edge of death then I think you should just let them die in peace, especially is that is what they want to do. All people have the right to die with dignity. For patients who do not want to die but, cannot eat, I think it is up to the doctors to find a way for the patient to live. If it is absolutely impossible for the patient to live then I think doctors should gently explain that there is nothing that the doctors can do but let that person die. It is up to the treatment team to help those who want to live, live, and let those who want to die, die. If a patient is deemed incompetent then I think it is left up to the parents or spouse to decide if they should continue life or not if they are the ones paying for the treatment. But just because something is difficult does not mean you give up and quit on it.
L.T., you have some good suggestions here - I only see one reason for your conclusion (in your case, you have a multi-part suggestion for what the hospital should do, but only one reason). You can add more by replying to your post if you'd like.
DeleteDaniel A.
ReplyDeleteI believe that anorexic patients should not be forced fed because it's his or her right to choose. It's not only going to be harder for the patient but also the family and the hospital. Force feeding an anorexic patients only cause them more pain. Force fed helped cure some patients but most of them weren't able to restore their health. I understand that it's hard to see someone you love slowly die but it's better to end his or her sufferring.
Cathy S.
DeleteI disagree with you, you shouldn't just sit back and watch the one you love die when you know there is something you can do to help them. People with AN aren't just suffering from an eating disorder because it messes with how you think so to help them you need to force fees them and give the psychiatric help. it would be harder on the family knowing that they let the person die instead of going against their wishes to save them. Patients suffering from AN don't want to die they just don't want to eat.
Silvia O.
DeleteWhile I respect your opinion, there are some things I would like to mention concerning anorexia nervosa. Firstly, as you mentioned, these patients are not in their right set of mind due to how starvation affects the brain, which is why they do not understand that they need to eat. While they starve themselves they are slowly dying, which is not their intent. Not force feeding also affects their loved ones because there is nothing else they can do to help them, other than being the ones with the right mentality. The only way they can be helped is when a doctor is involved, as it is their duty to see that they do everything possible to save their patients from suffering
Ron P.
DeleteWhile I see your point in a slightly distorted view, is it not better to end their suffering in a healthier way? Families and doctors alike are able to end a patient’s suffering by assisting them in regaining their health.
Is it not inhumane—selfish even—to let a member of your family or a close friend die because it’s going to be “harder” for you?
Just thoughts to ponder on.
Ronny F
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion those whom suffer from anorexia nervosa need help, but though therapy. In the topic of forced feeding, its an action that probably won't not work, as this is a problem of the mind. One can force feed someone whom has anorexia, but if their mind tells them to reject it, they will reject it in any form, such as vomiting it out. Even if the person returns to a normal in terms of weight and physical health through the actions of force-feeding it will prove ineffective as they have the risk of simply returning to their old habit, for the psychological problem remains.The way to fully combat this mental illness is by targeting the source of reasoning towards the actions, which is their mind.
Good point, Ronny. Your argument that force-feeding is likely to be ineffective because the disease isn't treated by physical means is one reason against force feeding - can you talk about two others, as well?
DeleteChelsea B.
ReplyDeleteDefault rule should be to force feed patients with Anorexia Nervosa who initially attempt to seek treatment or end up in a hospital due to their disorder for the first time. This may sound cruel, but for an individual to make a rational decision about their own life or death they should first be restored to a healthy state.
According to medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com fifty percent of patients who receive treatment and follow through with therapy make long term recoveries. Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychological disorder, a fifty percent recovery rate is extremely positive. If, after treatment, an individual chooses, or succumbs, to their previous behavior that is up to them. Repeat offenders, however, should not be forced treatment against their wishes unless they approach doctors with consent for the desire of life in a moment of clarity.
To compare this with direct suicide attempts, members of our society who are deemed a danger to themselves are incarcerated in a mental health facility and given continual treatment until they are deemed stable. Anorexia Nervosa is a long term suicide. To say someone with AN is thinking clearly is illogical.
Rational = reason
Refusal to eat food = death
Human rational psyche does not encompass suicide = psychotic (impaired ability to function)
If refusing to eat equals death then one who does this is psychotic to a certain degree and therefore unable to clearly think for themselves or their best interest.
Would you hand a suicidal friend a noose? Or try whatever means possible to bring them back to sanity.
Ultimately it is the individual’s choice. We should present them with an opportunity and support of a healthy life, however, if they decide post treatment to walk knowingly to their death it is their decision.
To each his own
Kim M.
DeleteI agree with you. I believe that it’s in the best interest for the person who is suffering from severe anorexia if they were given another chance at life by being force feed and after having a chance to chose whether they want to live or not. It makes more sense to help a person who cannot make the “right” decision for their fight to live and then giving them an opportunity, after they are in a stable state to chose whether they want to continue to put their life at risk or seek even more help to get better. The options are death, force feed and relapse or force feed and give someone some clarity as to what they are doing themselves. As humans, I feel that if we have a slight opportunity to save someone’s life, then we shouldn’t let that slip away. It is ultimately their chose to receive treatment to get better or continuing on living a dangerous life thought AN but I don’t believe we should expect the worst of people when they need us the most.
People who are suffering from AN do not see it as a slow death/suicide but essentially, it is.
I agree with what you said about the mental institute. We as a society need to reevaluate what we deem as being a danger to ourselves because if suffering from AN is not being a danger to ourselves then what is?
Ron P.
DeleteWell-reasoned.
What was most intriguing was this following statement: "Anorexia Nervosa is a long term suicide."
It's short; it's to the point, and it's like getting hit by bucket full of water below freezing point. From that statement alone, readers should see that patients of anorexia nervosa should be treated similarly with those who are in danger of committing suicide. That being said, it is up to the patient's doctor and family to try their best and save him/her from diving into the darkness. And force-feeding the patient may fall into that category.
Anthony R.
ReplyDeleteIt is very tough dealing with anorexia. Anorexia is a disease, and like all other diseases, should be cured or at least attempted to be cured. I believe that people with anorexia should be cured because it is the right thing to do. They have a choice, but that choice is ultimately influenced by the disease.
People with anorexia are basically commuting suicide by rejecting the nutrition they need to survive. Just like patients dealing with alcohol or drugs, they should be given a chance to be cured as well. We should take in consideration the effects of the disease to the person rather then seeing what they want because in the end, helping them is what is important.
Of course we should let people decide what they want for themselves, but it's not fair for their involuntary choice to get in the way of them getting help. The person with anorexia may not agree with getting help by being "fed," but after getting the right treatment and being helped correctly, they can be thankful in the end.
Ronny F.
DeleteI agree with your opinion that those whom suffer from anorexia nervosa are committing suicide even if they do not want to die and your comparison towards the use of drugs and alcohol as these people also do not want to die but escape from their problems and just like you said they need the right kind of help.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteElizabeth Avalos
ReplyDeleteAnorexia is a psychological disorder. Patients with anorexia KNOW the trauma they are causing to their bodies, yet they do not know how to stop. There is a starting root as to HOW a person became anorexic. Going back to a person's medical history and family background can give medical caregivers ideas as how a patient with anorexia can be helped. It is though a person forgot that before you can walk you need to learn how to crawl. AN patients need support and guidance to "retrain" their mind and body how to eat without the feeling of guilt or disgust. With early intervention, awareness, support, and medical care AN patients can slowly gain some will power back. Therefore, force feeding a patient with anorexia can only revert them back to their habits. Forcing someone can lead to a negative outcome. It is a costly and time consuming illness, however, if we so easily "gave up" on a patient with AN. Does this mean that we should give up on a patient that has cancer? Yes, AN patients have CHOSEN to be sick. BUT, it is wrong to let anyone die without ever having to try and help them and then some. As humans, we ALWAYS try. we eventually will FAIL but we always get back up on our feet and try again. As for AN patients we should treat them until resources become scarce. But never give up on someone with this illness, because they want to live.
Gabriela D.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of how horrible it may sound to feed someone against their will, i do believe that thats what should be done in cases with people with severe anorexia. I don't think that its right to just let a person starve to death.
My first reason is that even though the article states that some people with anorexia are competent enough to make their own decisions, i still believe that a person is not mentally stable to make the decision to die. I believe this because a mentally stable person would have not let themselves starve like that in the first place. There may be some underlying issue as to why they let themselves become anorexic but that doesn't mean that you should just let them starve and die. Especially since their decision, as i believe, is not made with the best state of mind.
My second reason is that I think a person should be helped and have the right to live. I find it inhumane to just let someone go ahead and starve. I understand that the person with anorexia may have gone through a lot of suffering dealing with their disease but i don't believe its a reason to no longer help them even if they may have to suffer a bit longer to get better. There may be a slim chance for the person with severe anorexia to survive treatment, but i believe its better to have tried to help the person out than to let the person die without ever knowing if treatment would have eventually worked and helped the patient recover.
My third reason goes back to trying to help the person to live instead of giving up on them because the decision can largely affect their family and close friends. I know the decision is based on the patient but allowing them to just starve to death can take a large tole on family. How do you explain to a parent or significant other that nothing will be done to this patient and they will eventually die. The family would suffer a loss and never know if this patient would have continued to live if they had actually tried and forced treatment.
Al John J.
DeleteI'm extremely glad the very first reasoning was the mental state or a person. I too believe that this disease roots from the brain. Also glad that though you considered the the "slim chance" it should be taken without any hesitation to whoever is helping the sick. Though it is forced, pushing someone out of a moving trucks way is also forced!
Akwasi A
ReplyDeleteI understand that people with severe anorexia have a harder time digesting the food that they eat causing them to starve to death without consuming the nutrition they need. But the only way they can overcome this sickness and get back to being healthy again is by feeding them through a stomach tube or an intravenous line. I’m not saying that doctors should force them to choose this option because it is their body, but what I am trying to say is that this is probably the best alternative for people with severe anorexia. It is either have the doctor feed you food through a stomach tube or an intravenous line or struggle with this stressful sickness for the rest of your life. Would you rather have your life last for a long period of time or would you rather have your life cut short because of this sickness? It is your choice and your body you know what is best for you.
If the patient will rather not take treatment for multiple reasons such as inability to endure the suffering from the illness, then their decision to refuse treatment should be respected even if it means they will die. On the other hand, if the patient accepts treatment but rejects it once introduced to it, the patient should then be force fed because:
ReplyDeleteI. The action of rejecting food is a characteristic of the illness.
II. Giving in to the refusal to induce food because of their dysfunctional thinking is basically letting them die, which is illegal if they are showing signs to live.
III. Since the patient wants their AN to be cured the only way to address the illness is to keep the patient alive.
Jaime G. Sahagun
Ebony K.
ReplyDeleteI think people with this disease should receive forced nutrition because they are not in their right mind and if they ask for help doctors should follow through on giving it to them. Even though the disease is messing with their head I think the people around them should provide them with the help they ask for and they should also be getting therapy to deal with the mental aspects of their disease.
Camille Matue
ReplyDeletePeople with Anorexia Nervosa should only be force fed under extreme measures. Force feeding should only be given to those who are in the midst of death. However, if patients are in their right mind to make their own decisions, their decisions should be respected. Just as Cancer patients are given the option to decide whether they will undergo therapy or not, the same concept should apply to those patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa. Although watching a person suffer knowing that there is an alternative is immoral, at some degree, Anorexia Nervosa becomes irreversible, therefore, death is the only option.
Anorexia Nervosa is a disorder that has severe consequences. The focus of treating patients should be on preventing the disorder even before it manifests their health completely. Although doctors may attempt to force feed, some patients are unable to handle it - automatically rejecting the food. Therefore, force feeding should only be applied to those who are willing to accept the care or to those that are near death. Other than that, force feeding should only be practice to those who has given consent.
I agree with your statement that people with anorexia nervosa should be force fed under extreme measures but i don't necessarily understand how an anorexia patient would ever be in the right mind to make their own decision in wanting to be helped or not. Anorexia is a mental illness so technically a person suffering from anorexia would not always make the best decision for themselves since they already made a bad decision in starving themselves in the first place. And if you were to consider the person being in the right state of mind, what would be the way of determining that? How would you know that they're making the right decision to die or if its the mental instability from the disease?
DeleteGabriela D.
Ron P.
ReplyDeleteWhen is it “alright” to let people suffer from severe malnutrition? If ever? Is the idea of speeding up a slow death (when the fate of the patient can be rewritten) ever acceptable? The eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa is not a topic to be taken lightly. If anything, it should be treated with utmost caution as the consequences range between minimal and destructively fatal. However, one thing remains, and it is that life is important. Therefore, the rule regarding the “feeding” of patients suffering from anorexia should be that no matter how impossible recovery may seem, doctors, judges, and families alike should not simply let a patient meet their death.
Anorexia nervosa has the chance to make a patient not competent enough to make their own decisions. It affects not only a person’s health but also their sense of decision making and at times morality. Force-feeding should be done for trial at the least. It is the main way for a patient to get better.
In accordance to the article, patients of anorexia nervosa can at times be hard to treat. They are even known to be “resistant, deceitful, manipulative, greedy, selfish and narcissistic.” However, this does not mean that they deserve to be failed, to be given up on. This does not rationalize the action of being akin to indifferent towards the conditions of the patient. For what human being be considered so low that their life is deemed less valuable than what it is, what they are, what they can be.
Is a family member, or even a friend, not worth the financial and emotional trouble? How would a patient feel if their loved ones were to say that he or she should die without even an ounce of medication? Anyone, especially those who suffer from anorexia, should be given the chance to recover. As stated in the article, death is preventable. It is only preventable through the means of nutrition. Nutrition is obtained from being force-fed. And although force-feeding may be… forced, it is better to do so than nothing at all.
Chelsea B.
DeleteWell written statement.
Elaborating on a portion of the comment:
“In accordance to the article, patients of anorexia nervosa can at times be hard to treat. They are even known to be “resistant, deceitful, manipulative, greedy, selfish and narcissistic.” However, this does not mean that they deserve to be failed, to be given up on.”
An additional note on behaviors of those with Anorexia Nervosa, the resistance shown by patients is often part of detachment from society, further separating themselves from everyone. It is important to note that though a patient may seem to want to continue on their current path it is usually a cry for help. A push towards the extreme. This does not necessarily reflect what they may want inside. As a behavioral psychological disorder they refuse to eat due to a negative body image, treatment growing up etc… the push away from others is a sign that they have given up on themselves. These individuals should not be cast aside, society should not look the other way and give up on their fellow men, after all we contribute to the factors which lead to their condition, and we are all responsible for each other.
To each his own
Jasmeen C.
ReplyDeleteI think the default rule for people with severe anorexia should be that they should be fed against their will because even thought at that time they might not want to eat, in the end the benefit will be theirs.
My first reason is that if they are not force fed then it would be a waste of money and time for them to be going through the treatment and continue to suffer. And it is not only the time of the patient that is wasted, but also of the people who are giving the treatment and putting in the effort to give them their health back.
The second reason is that the whole point of the treatment is to get them back to a normal healthy state which cannot happen by just giving them a psychological treatment and lack of food, along with that they need to be forced to eat to recover their mental health and body’s health.
The third and final reason is the impact that the loss of the person suffering from and eating disorder would have on the family. Even though the family may not want to see the patient being force fed, it’s a better option to see the patient being forced to eat than losing someone they love and care about.
Georgina S.
DeleteJasmeen, I agree that a patients physical health is important to bringing them back to a normal healthy state, however, I believe that force feeding would only further damage their mental state. And since they would be at this point of mental incapacitation any progress made on their physical body could be negated at the first sign of a relapse.
As I read your argument and your first two reasons as to why they should be force fed, it has come to my attention that these patients, in order to be “cured,” must undergo both psychological treatment and must also be fed, therefore, if they are to recover, they must get nutrition. So in the end, there’s no going around it. They should be force fed if they refuse but had once stated that they do want to be cured. In some cases of AN, they might only need the nutrition part of the treatment. They might only need to be introduced to food once again so the body will accept it. In other cases they might need the psychological help too but for them to be able to help, they obviously must be kept alive and if force feeding them is the last option, then the physician must have to go there. After all, they wouldn’t be at the hospital if they didn’t want the help. Also, I might be repeating myself or you as a matter of fact, but the whole point of curing AN is to get them back to a healthy, ideal, weight. There’s just no going around the fact that they must be fed. Forced or not.
DeleteJaime G. Sahagun
Amandeep Kaur
ReplyDeleteI think people with severe anorexia should be force fed because due to the disease condition people are not able to make good decisions for themselves and that is why they should be helped and we should not just let them to starve and die. Also, anorexia is a mental disorder and like other disease conditions we should put efforts to cure it and force fed can be one of the option. In addition force fed can be the best approach to restore weight and it can help the patient to recover from the disease condition and feeding through the stomach tube and an intravenous line can be live saving.
Rajwinder k
DeleteI agree with you that people are not able to make good decision for themselves when they are goning through severe anorexia and we cannot let them die just because they refuse to eat. If we force fed them there is more chance they can recover and restore their weight.
Al John J.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I ended up in the psychiatric ward at Alta Bates hospital in Berkeley. I was with a bunch of teens/kids who were all dealing with serious problems. During my first day, I met a girl who was getting treated for anorexia. She told me a little of her past and why her mentality was in sorts. Fortunately, it was her final week in the ward. As she had the realization that what she was doing was hurting her and everyone around her. As she was leaving she mentions that she was extremely thankful to the doctors for the help and that I should take care of myself.
Meeting this girl, I strongly believe that being force fed should be a rule. Though the rule implies having a human being forced to do something they do not wish, we also have to take in fact that they have a mental disorder and that rationalization and good judgement is not their best friend. Also having their loved ones suffer day in and day out is a selfish act on their part. Loved ones should not just sit there and accept their troubled daughter/husband/friend/colleague destroy themselves. Having anorexia is one of many life's struggles, but being able to overcome a large bump in life should be mandatory. We are humans, we should help one another overcome difficulties.
Reading your argument made me realize that it is true of the fact that anorexia is a life struggle that has huge consequense and in one of those being the emotional baggage with the family and the person going through this and that the loved ones should help. What got my attention the most was "being able to overcome a large bump in life should be mandatory" because it should be and a lot of the times we would much rather go around the bump even if in the long run the outcome can be much worse than trying everything you can to go over it. The loved ones should do their best and help the person in trouble every step of the way.
DeleteMagda M.
Jose H
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Anorexia Nervosa is not being taken as seriously as it should. It seems that people are assuming that people with this illness just won’t eat, which isn’t the case. Some may feel insecure about their weight and won’t eat thinking it will help them lose weight. Although they would lose weight, it is not healthy because of their body not receiving essential nutrients. Like any other illness in the world, I feel Anorexia should be taken more seriously and be researched for possible treatments instead of giving up on the patients. Doctors offer the idea of “force feeding” but that will not solve any problem the patient has, they will feel as if food is being forced into their system without their body accepting it. I feel that force feeding patients will lead to making the illness worse rather than resolving anything. Although many victims of Anorexia can’t be forced fed or eat at all, there should be other alternatives for nutrition.
Elizabeth A.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with your comment, "force feeding a patient will not solve the problem." It is true that anorexia has to do way more than just an "eating disorder." There are underlying problems that need to be addressed, worked on, and hopefully find a resolution. But if your first initial reaction is to force feed patients with anorexia it is clearly asking for them to relapse back to their habits of not wanting to eat. Yes, it IS difficult to step back when we should be taking two steps forward to do ANYTHING in our power to help them recover but it can only be done delicately and patiently as anorexia is a continuous battle for some.
Magda M.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the person with anorexia should choose to be fed and that no one else should choose for them. They are the ones going through it and the family will never understand what this person is going through. Although I believe that the person going through this should choose whether to be fed or not, I think there should be some measures that need to be looked at before allowing the family to choose what should be done. I think some measures should be the age of the person going through this and if the family has truly tried their best to help the person going through with this.
I believe that it is somewhat unfair for the person’s family and other loved ones to suffer for something they didn’t choose. Although the person with anorexia may not intentionally want to cause their loved ones harm they are still doing so. If the loved ones are doing to help this person out and they do not wish to be helped then their only choice is to leave it to the person to decide.
I also think that the amount of time this person has been on treatment should be considered. I would think that for the most part the people that going through this do not have jobs because of their critical conditions. Therefore the family has to pay for all their treatment and it can be a very expensive one making it even harder on the loved ones.
Daniel A.
DeleteI completely agree with you, I think the decision is up to the patient to choose and also the family will never understand what the person is really going through unless the family put their feet on the patient's shoes. And yes, I think that they should have some measures to go over before they allow the family to choose what should be done also because once again it is up to the patients decision but due to the effect of the disease which is it messes up your brain and your thinking because of the lack of nutrition of the body because the body rejects the food maybe only then the family can choose for the what is going to happen to the patient because he or she is not thinking right.
Rajwinder K
ReplyDeleteI think the default rule for people with severe anorexia should be force fed otherwise it will effect badly on their mind. The people with illness don’t know what to do, what is right for them? If they don’t eat, negative outcomes will impact them. So it is important for us that we give them all the nutrition that the patient needs.
Moreover the people don’t want to eat because of the pain; they are suffering from a long time which effect on the brain and body. So we should force fed them, because that’s the only way they can overcome this sickness.
Lastly, they should be fed because they are alive and everyone has the right to live. If there is treatment available and there is a chance to recover from the illness, people deserve to get better treatment. The doctors and family members have to try harder to treat these people. It gives them hope to live
A. Alghazali
ReplyDeletethe default option is to force feed the dieing patients. they should be force feed because they are not in the right mental and physical health to make very important decisions, and it might be that they will see the wrongness of their decision once they have gotten some nutrition, and it might be that they want to live but the disease is wanting them to suffer and die it is controlling them.