[A discussion of problems in interpretation of the Mental Health Act]

On the basis of their experience as psychiatrists, and observations of Mental Health Act influence on mutual relationships between psychiatrists, their patients and patients family members, the authors analyze situations in which strict, appliance of the law may be harmful, or, for other reasons, ethically doubtful. They suggest that the Mental Health Act is too meticulous in regulating the procedures regarding mentally disturbed persons. According to the law indications, motives for treatment without consent are more often social or behavioral rather than strictly medical. It limits the ability to help a lot of people who really require psychiatric care. Authors indirectly suggest that it is impossible to replace ethics and doctors' conscience by the law.