Judge authorizes force feeding of severely anorexic patient

A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a Quebec Cityhospital to force feed a young woman suffering from such severe anorexia that her doctor says she fears weight gain more than death.

The July 19 decisionfrom Justice Lise Bergeron allowsthe force feeding of a 20-year-oldwoman for a period of 60 days.

She was admitted to the emergency room at theCentre hospitalier de l'Universit Laval July 9, when she hit an all-time low weight of 32 kilograms, about 70 pounds. Her body mass index (weight relative to height) at the time was 12.

A healthy body mass index is considered to be between 18.5 and 24.

The woman's psychiatrist, Dr. Marie-Julie Cimon, testified that the woman was suffering severe anorexia nervosa.

"In a state of malnutrition such as this,the brain is also malnourished, and the fear of dying has given wayto fear of weight gain," Cimontestified.

The decisionpoints out the woman has been treated for various mental health problems, including an eating disorder, since 2012.

'Obsessedwith weight loss at all costs'

The hospital had already obtained a court order July 12 allowing the hospital to force feed the woman for a period of seven days.

During that court hearing,Cimontestified that the woman's extreme weight loss was endangering her life, and that she was suffering from hypothermia, slow heart rate and hypoglycemia.

Cimon estimated that without intervention the woman would likely die within 12 to 24 hours.

"Hermental state has also deteriorated and slowed down.She'sunable to deal with herobsession with weight lossat all costs.She never stops exercising and refusesto eat anything, and refuses to take any medication,"Cimon wrote in a report submitted to the court.

Cimonwrote thatthe woman is unable to make clear decisions about her treatment.

"She is clearly unfit, and unable to recognize her disease," Cimon wrote.

Treatment plan would improve her health, doctor says

Following that seven-day period,Cimonand the hospital returned to court to ask for the authorization ofa treatment plan without the woman's consent for a period of 60 days.

The plan would include administering medicationto treat the woman's hypothermia, hypoglycemia and slow heartbeat, and allow doctors to provide "care related to herdiet and hydration, including the use of solutionsand/or force feeding".

Cimon testified that she felt this treatment over a period of two months would allow the woman to gain about a kilogram a week.

"This would bring her into a state that could allow her to talk to hertreatment team, make choices with them, and re-evaluate the situation," Cimon said.

Bergeronauthorized the plan, saying that"the evidence is clear that the defendant is in danger of death if the care ceases."