“[CVF] is a vulnerable young woman. She has a poor sense of self identity and very low self-esteem; this is common in people with EUPD, and also in people with LD. She is overly sensitive to perceived criticism or rejection. She is highly suggestible. People with EUPD often perceive things as opposing extremes. They often see things in black and white terms and will ‘split’ people and teams into ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in their own mind. Their inability to find a comfortable middle ground or hold two opposing views is a core feature of EUPD. [CVF’s] enmeshed relationship with her mother has contributed to her poor sense of self identity and her inability to advocate effectively for herself. [CVF] has clearly internalised her mother’s views about her incapability of living independently or spending even the briefest period of time on her own. [CVF] seeks an external solution to her internal problem and does not recognise that she has any control of her internal or external experience. One of the solutions [CVF] clings to is the potential that the right medication will magically solve her difficulties.”
“A great judge once said, “all life is an experiment,” adding that “every year if not every day we have to wager our salvation upon some prophecy based upon imperfect knowledge” (see Holmes J in Abrams v United States (1919) 250 US 616 at pages 624, 630). The fact is that all life involves risk, and the young, the elderly and the vulnerable, are exposed to additional risks and to risks they are less well equipped than others to cope with. But just as wise parents resist the temptation to keep their children metaphorically wrapped up in cotton wool, so too we must avoid the temptation always to put the physical health and safety of the elderly and the vulnerable before everything else. Often it will be appropriate to do so, but not always. Physical health and safety can sometimes be bought at too high a price in happiness and emotional welfare. The emphasis must be on sensible risk appraisal, not striving to avoid all risk, whatever the price, but instead seeking a proper balance and being willing to tolerate manageable or acceptable risks as the price appropriately to be paid in order to achieve some other good – in particular to achieve the vital good of the elderly or vulnerable person’s happiness. What good is it making someone safer if it merely makes them miserable?”