Forced Treatment

Igros Moshe (Choshen Mishpat II #73. 5) Question: If patient refuses to take medicine should he be forced? Answer: It depends on the reason for refusal. If it is the result of despair and hopelessnesss or because of the present suffering that he doesn’t want to continue even though he believes the doctors that he will eventually be cured. However if it is because he doesn’t believe his doctors then it is necessary to find doctors he believes. If this is not possible  than his doctors will be forced to treat him against his will if all the doctors in the hospital agee that he needs this treatment. However this is only if he will is not terrified of the treatment since that might be harmful. In such circumstances  he should not be forced even if his relatives desire it. His doctors need to discuss the matter thoroughly especially if the treatment is dangerous