Psychiatric Advance Directive Form
A legal document completed by a patient while competent that specifies their psychiatric treatment preferences and designated decision-maker for future mental health crises when they lack decision-making capacity.
Full Definition
A Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD) Form is a statutory instrument that allows individuals with mental illness to document treatment preferences — including consent to or refusal of specific medications, hospitalisation, or restraint — and to appoint a health care proxy for psychiatric decisions. In emergency psychiatry, clinicians are obligated to inquire about the existence of a PAD before initiating involuntary treatment where time permits. Editors working on emergency psychiatry documents must distinguish this document type from a general advance directive or living will, which typically addresses end-of-life medical care rather than psychiatric crisis intervention. The form's legal enforceability varies by jurisdiction and should not be described as 'binding' without jurisdictional qualification. The acronym 'PAD' is acceptable after first-use expansion.
Usage
Usage note: Do not shorten to 'advance directive' without qualification in psychiatric emergency contexts, as this may be confused with a general medical advance directive. Confirm jurisdictional validity before describing the document as legally enforceable.
In Context
- "The triage nurse documented that the patient presented with a completed Psychiatric Advance Directive Form specifying refusal of haloperidol." — Emergency Triage Record
- "Editors should flag any use of 'advance directive' in psychiatric emergency texts and query whether the author specifically means the Psychiatric Advance Directive Form." — Editorial Style Guide — Emergency Medicine