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Zoraya ter Beek, a 28-year-old woman from the Netherlands, has revealed her intention to pursue euthanasia next month, even though she is in good physical health. Her choice has attracted worldwide attention because her eligibility stems from psychiatric distress rather than a terminal physical condition, sparking renewed discussions about ethics, personal freedom, and the boundaries of medical responsibility.
According to Dutch law, euthanasia is allowed when a patient endures unbearable suffering with no hope for improvement, as long as specific criteria are satisfied. Ter Beek qualifies due to her severe, treatment-resistant depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. She has shared her experiences of years spent in therapy, on medication, and receiving psychiatric care, all of which failed to alleviate her suffering. She explains that the ongoing cycle of hope followed by disappointment has become part of her anguish, leaving her drained and without realistic expectations for relief.
