[Ethical consequences of the diagnosis of psychosis]

Psychosis is defined by the loss of reality testing. Apart from that, it is rather broadly and vaguely defined. Ethics is the art of defining what is right and what is wrong. Medical ethics apply a diversity of ethical principles to a complex clinical reality after discussion and consideration. In forensic psychiatry the diagnosis of psychosis has vast ethical implications. In the Danish law on psychiatry conditions for coercion and involuntary treatment are stated, and in the law on penalty the principle of treatment instead of penalty is stated. Thus, implications for diagnoses and treatment go far beyond other medical diagnoses.