Anorexia nervosa: the diagnosis. A postmodern ethics contribution to the bioethics debate on involuntary treatment for anorexia nervosa

Journal of Bioethical Inquiry
Sacha Kendall

Abstract

This paper argues that there is a relationship between understandings of anorexia nervosa (AN) and how the ethical issues associated with involuntary treatment for AN are identified, framed, and addressed. By positioning AN as a construct/discourse (hereinafter "AN: the diagnosis") several ethical issues are revealed. Firstly, "AN: the diagnosis" influences how the autonomy and competence of persons diagnosed with AN are understood by decision-makers in the treatment environment. Secondly, "AN: the diagnosis" impacts on how treatment and treatment efficacy are defined and the ethical justifiability of paternalism. Thirdly, "AN: the diagnosis" can limit the opportunity for persons with AN to construct an identity that casts them as a competent person. "AN: the diagnosis" can thus inherently affirm professional knowledge and values. Postmodern professional ethics can support professionals in managing these issues by highlighting the importance of taking responsibility for professional knowledge, values, and power and embracing moral uncertainty.

References

Jul 1, 1992·Social Science & Medicine·H Gremillion
Dec 1, 1994·Intensive & Critical Care Nursing : the Official Journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses·K DaffurnA Bauman
Apr 29, 1998·Journal of Medical Ethics·H Draper
Aug 28, 1998·General Hospital Psychiatry·P S Appelbaum, T Rumpf
Jan 11, 2000·The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science·R RamsayG F Russell
Nov 4, 2000·The American Journal of Psychiatry·T L WatsonA E Andersen
May 4, 2002·Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie·Chris MacDonald
Dec 11, 2002·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Lois J SurgenorJacqueline Horn
Oct 3, 2003·International Journal of Law and Psychiatry·Jacinta O A TanAnne Stewart
Nov 26, 2003·International Journal of Law and Psychiatry·Pierre Beumont, Terry Carney
Nov 26, 2003·International Journal of Law and Psychiatry·Yuval MelamedMoshe Kalian
Nov 26, 2003·International Journal of Law and Psychiatry·Jacinta O A TanRaymond Fitzpatrick
Nov 26, 2003·International Journal of Law and Psychiatry·Jacinta TanAnne Stewart
Sep 17, 2004·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Pierre Beumont, Terry Carney
Apr 1, 2006·Sociology of Health & Illness·Emma Rich
Jul 7, 2007·Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists·Michael RobertsonGarry Walter
Jul 27, 2007·New South Wales Public Health Bulletin·Joanne M Spangaro
Dec 11, 2007·Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology : PPP·Dr Jacinta O A TanProfessor Raymond Fitzpatrick
Nov 21, 2009·International Journal of Law and Psychiatry·Jacinta O A TanTony Hope

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 22, 2014·Journal of Bioethical Inquiry·Michael A Ashby, Leigh E Rich
Nov 26, 2015·Neuroethics·Hannah MaslenJulian Savulescu
Nov 17, 2020·Frontiers in Psychiatry·Loa Clausen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric condition characterized by severe weight loss and secondary problems associated with malnutrition. Here is the latest research on AN.