Are people able to refuse themselves therapy?

I'm not very knowlageable on the subject. But, My friend is 17 we live in New York (state laws?) Her mother says she is going to get somthing that sounds like electroconvulsive therapy or somthing of the sort. And she definitly dosent want to...can she flat out refuse, or can she be forced?

Of course she can refuse. But will they force her? If she is crazy and they are trying to do this, then you would need somebody to go in there and raise hell and/or bring in an attorney. If she is of sound mind (not clinically out of wack) then she can refuse, but if they commit her, they may try to force it on her. In this case, I would take it to court, and I doubt that they would ever win. In the meantime, the psychiatrists would probably get bored and look for another victim.

I too, am terrified of electro shock therapy. I hope she can refuse. But I think the last poster was correct. I think they'd have to take her to court or something.

I live in Canada, and yes of course people are allowed to refuse treatment. ie: medications, EST. What they can do is commit you involuntarily to a locked Psych Ward if they believe you are a danger to yourself or others. In Canada this is governed by the Mental Health Act.