Reasons for endorsing or rejecting self-binding directives in bipolar disorder: a qualitative study of survey responses from UK service users (20 May 2021)

Summary

Self-binding directives instruct clinicians to overrule treatment refusal during future severe episodes of illness. These directives are promoted as having the potential to increase autonomy for individuals with severe episodic mental illness. Although lived experience is central to their creation, the views of service users on self-binding directives have not been seriously investigated. This study in The Lancet Psychiatry aimed to explore whether reasons for endorsement, ambivalence or rejection given by service users with bipolar disorder can address concerns regarding self-binding directives, decision-making capacity and human rights.