Huntington's Disease Case Study

Huntington’s disease is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that has a middle-age onset. It is clinically characterized by unwanted movements, behavioral and psychiatric disturbances, and dementia. George Huntington, who first described Huntington’s disease, named it “an insanity which leads to suicide,” (Halpin, 2012). Individuals whom are at-risk or diagnosed with this disease stand in a tough situation in which many decide to commit suicide. There is major controversy on voluntary ways to die with this disease, which include to commit suicide, whether physician-assisted or individually, go under continuous deep sedation, or by euthanasia. The symptoms of Huntington’s disease increase slowly and last until death. Chorea is one of

Twenty people with the gene for the disease and ten caregivers were interviewed, all of which were family to the carriers. Suicide was not a component of the interview itself, however many participants discussed it. First, the caregivers shared their opinion on suicide and were sympathetic towards their loved ones. Only one of the ten caregivers attributed suicide and suicide ideation to mental illness; others viewed it as a response to the realities of the disease. They also expressed strain between providing care and watching their loved one suffer without relief. Next, the twenty gene-carrying participants, three of which were undiagnosed, were interviewed. Because Huntington’s disease is genetic, some participants had already experienced suicide within their family. Whether or not they had wanted to commit suicide themselves, participants supported their family members’ decision. One told of the night his brother committed suicide via painless medication and described it as a happy moment for his family. However, controversy over whether suicide is an acceptable form of death is present. From a medical standpoint suicide is looked at as a reversible state of mind and an incorrect way to cope with the disease. Halpin (2012) argues that patients’ option to reject life-prolonging treatments is essentially the same as suicide because the outcome will inevitably be the same: a life cut short by the symptoms of a disease. Nonetheless, those who contemplate suicide are evaluated by a psychiatrist. The article states that those with Huntington’s disease are, “accorded all of the responsibility but relieved of the agency that is associated with rational suicide,” (p.