Compulsory treatment of anorexia nervosa

Compulsory treatment in anorexia is a controversial subject brought to the fore of public awareness with each new case reported in the media. The attitudes towards involuntary hospitalization for anorexia swing like a pendulum from recognizing the necessity for compulsory treatment in life-threatening situations to advocating the patient's rights for autonomy over his/her body and thus the right to refuse treatment. In view of the fact that the existing legislation in Israel (Law of Patient's Rights, 1996; Law of Guardianship 1962; and the Law for the Treatment of the Mentally Ill, 1991) does not provide an adequate solution to emergency situations in which anorexia is life threatening, the authors suggest that the Law for the Treatment of the Mentally Ill (1996), which enables compulsory treatment, can be interpreted to include life-endangering conditions.