Eating disorders - Age at which you can refuse treatment?

Question

I'm asking this on behalf of my 12 year old friend who has anorexia at a very low weight and is currently in an inpatient ward at a Nottingham hosptial. She's asked if you can refuse treatment and at what age that's possible in the UK. I thought maybe 16/18? She's specifically asked; "What age can you refuse to be force fed?"

So I told her I'd find out, but, I'm not necerssarily going to tell her the answer, I don't wanna make her worse.

Answer 1

Generally your ability to make decisions independent of your parent or guardian increases as you get older. Starting around the age of 12 and going to 18.

Once you are 18 you are free from the control of your parent or guardian and they no longer have any right to impose a medical treatment on you (it would be considered assault)

If you are 17, then you will find they have the right, but there is a degree of ambiguity here.

However, the mental health ward has the right to impose, under strict medical guidelines, force feeding. Mental health laws allow doctors to provide treatment, deny liberty etc, for the benefit of a person whose mental ability has been impaired.

If I may suggest, telling her these facts will make her feel less empowered and feel worse. An alternative suggestion is to tell her that because she can't stop the force feeding, she should choose the food she does eat. That way, he remains in control (as the doctors will fill her with too much fatty food).

I hope that you can help and support your friend through this problem.

Answer 2

You can refuse at any age legally, but if it is deemed that to do so would be damaging to health or even life threatening it is possible that the patient can be sectioned and have treatment forced on them under section 3 of the Mental Health Act. This applies to eating disorders as well, as they are deemed to be mental illnesses too. Either that or the doctors can get a court order to enforce "treatment".

I'm sorry about your friend, I'm a recovering bulimic and know how these things can take over your life.

Answer 3

I work at an inpatient unit for people with eating disorders from the age of 13 to 18. Parental consent is used till the age of 16 but after that the person can be sectioned under the mental health act for treatment. So she has the right to refuse at any age but other measures can be put in place to make sure she doesnt die or cause further harm to her self.

Answer 4

To my knowledge you have the right to refuse treatment at any age. However, if you are under 16 (at least a few years back, possible has changed to 18 now) then your parent or guardian can override your decision. This is my understanding anyway. Of course if you refuse treatment over the age of 16/18 (whichever one it is) then the medical people can have you sectioned and do it anyway. This would only ever happen in fairly extreme cases however as it is actually quite tricky to have someone sectioned. Issues of consent are always tricky because no one wants to step over the line and there are lots of safeguards in place designed to try and ensure there is no abuse of the rules.

Answer 5

This is a legal minefield and I am not a solicitor.

As I understand it, The Mental Capacity act (2005) gives her the right to refuse treatment at age 16. This would however be over-ridden by the Mental Health act (1983)

Lets hope the Mental Health act gets to her before its too late.

Answer 6

At 18, your parents can't force you do to anything. But, they can kick you out of the house, which could in turn cause you to be even more depressed and confused. It sounds to me like you still have some serious issues and do need help, but don't want your parents forcing you into it. Stay in treatment if you are feeling suicidal at 120 pounds and 5 ft 7 because your weight is healthy. Your BMI is in the healthy range, so you have nothing to worry about and probably look very good. Your parents love you and are worried about you, so I suggest keeping a healthy relationship with them, and not cutting them out. When I was 15 my mother tried to force me into therapy, and it only made me want to lash out even more so I understand how you may be feeling controlled. But honestly, they are probably right about the help you need, and I suggest you do whatever it takes to feel better about your self image..... I hope that was somewhat helpful, and good luck.

Answer 7

Well if she keeps resisting treatment she won't live long enough to find out, but I think it's 18. However, the state can over-rule your right to refuse medical treatment if you're determined to be unable to make that decision yourself, and trying to kill yourself (including by starvation) is generally sufficient grounds to determine that.

Answer 8

my understanding of anorexia is that it is a mental illness so if she refused treatment they would probably section her. that is so sad to be like that at age 12, her parents must be frantic...i hope she gets well.

legally, a child can refuse treatment if the doctor believes that they fully understand the consequences of their actions.

Answer 9

i would think that if she is in danger of dying from not eating , then they will just deem her unable to make the decision for herself and commit her. they're not just gonna sit there and watch her die, whatever age she is, let alone a 12 year old girl. good luck to your friend, and keep supporting her. peacex

Answer 10

She has to be 18, until then her parents or legal guardian have the right to decide on how best she should be treated. Keep supporting your friend, tell her how beautful she looks and I hope she recovers soon.