"When You Love, Sometimes You Have to Let Go"...Reason a Dutch Woman in Her 20s Chose Euthanasia

Netherlands Legalizes Active Euthanasia
"Treated for Over 10 Years but No Resolution"

A woman in her 20s from the Netherlands suffering from chronic depression and borderline personality disorder has been granted euthanasia approval.

The British daily The Guardian reported that Zoraya ter Beek (29) received final approval last week after requesting euthanasia due to unbearable mental suffering three and a half years ago.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize active euthanasia in 2002. Euthanasia is carried out when six criteria are met, including the patient experiencing unbearable pain, no hope for treatment, and a clear expression of the will to die. However, cases choosing euthanasia due to mental illness are rare. In 2023, out of 9,068 euthanasia deaths, 138 chose euthanasia due to mental suffering.

Zoraya Tur Beek, who decided on euthanasia due to mental suffering. [Image source=New York Post]

Ms. ter Beek has chronic depression, anxiety, trauma, borderline personality disorder, and has also been diagnosed with autism, influenced by an unfortunate childhood. She underwent intensive treatments including speech therapy, medication, and more than 30 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but the problems were not resolved at all. Early in treatment, Ms. ter Beek had hope, but as treatment prolonged, she lost hope. She said, "I have been treated for over 10 years, but nothing remains," and "After finishing ECT in August 2020, I accepted that there were no more treatment options and applied for euthanasia in December of that year."

Ms. ter Beek said, "I had been on the waiting list for a long time," adding, "because there were too few doctors willing to be involved in assisted death for people with mental suffering." She continued, "For three and a half years, I never hesitated about my decision," and "I felt guilt and fear, but I was firmly determined."

Ms. ter Beek expected euthanasia to proceed within weeks after interviews with medical staff. She said, "I feel relieved. It has been a really long battle," and "Now an important moment has come. We are ready for it and are seeking definite peace." She added, "I feel guilty, but sometimes when you love someone, you have to let them go."

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