So what should parents do before their eating disordered child turns 18?
My answer to this question depends a little bit on their status in recovery. If your child is still acutely ill, getting them to approve a psychiatric advance directive may be difficult. The eating disorder will probably not like this idea very much. However, if they are thinking more rationally and are embracing recovery at least somewhat, this may be an opportunity to prepare one of these documents.
What is a psychiatric advance directive, anyway?
They're a lot like a living will, except for psychiatric care. The idea of the document comes from the understanding that mental illness frequently robs the sufferer of the ability to make the best decisions for their own care, especially when the illness becomes severe. Mental illness can also rob a person of the ability to even understand that they are ill, which can lead to court-ordered treatment. Although this treatment is certainly life-saving, it also prevents a sufferer and his/her family from having much say in the course of treatment.
A psychiatric advance directive is typically written during periods of recovery/remission, and spells out the kind of care the sufferer would like to receive if their illness ever renders them incapable of making these decisions in the future. Furthermore, the sufferer can specify an "agent" (such as a parent/guardian/caregiver) to make these decisions in their place.
The sufferer can provide instructions on hospitalization, alternatives to hospitalization, medications, treatment, etc. The document can specify who should be contacted if the individual does end up in a psychiatric unit, who should take temporary custody of any children, etc. The document must be signed by the sufferer, two witnesses and then notarized.
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law says that psychiatric advance directives have three main advantages:
- An advance directive empowers you to make your treatment preferences known.
- An advance directive will improve communication between you and your physician. It can prevent clashes with professionals over treatment and may prevent forced treatment.
- Having an advance directive may shorten your hospital stay.
More information on psychiatric advance directives:
From The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
From The National Alliance on Mental Illness
From Duke University
FAQs on psychiatric advance directives
National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives
Templates for creating an advance directive
If you have any questions, I would consult with a family lawyer. They would be able to answer most questions you might have.
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