What Does Rationality Have to Do with Respect? Recommendations from a Philosophical Counselor with Lived Experience of Bipolar Disorder for Engaging with Psychotic Patients

In this paper, I defend a view of what persons can reasonably expect from providers if they become psychotic. I argue that it is reasonable for persons to expect that when providers act against their wishes, in order to protect them from inadvertent self-harm, providers will, at least briefly, comunicate their reasons for their actions. My argument is that we should treat rational animals with respect, irrational persons are rational animals, and the norm of respect that exists among social beings dictates that we give others our reasons for acting against their wishes when we do so to show that we are not simply being arbitrary. I further argue for collaboration between psychiatrists and philosophical counselors on the grounds that philosophical counseling can improve the experiences of patients at risk of commitment.