Informed consent of the mentally ill patient

The author describes in his paper the various forms of informed consent of mentally ill patients. As a rule the patient must give his consent in medical treatment. If he is not able to do so, the court pronounces a guardian, who has to take care of all concerns of the patient. Yet the person, who is mentally deficient, is not denied his right to refuse treatment. Every case should be examined in the light of it's special circumstances. The author discusses cases of minor hospitalization and treatment of mentally ill defents in criminal cases. Application of any means of compulsion is permissable only in emergency (danger of injury of self or others) and if the force used is legalized by court.