Dutch Teenager Who Sought Euthanasia Dies After Opting for VSED

A 19-year-old Dutch teenager, Iris Dekker, who had been battling severe depression and a functional neurological disorder, died after opting for Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking (VSED) while on the waiting list for euthanasia. Her parents, Omar and Cissy Dekker, have publicly shared their daughter's profound suffering and her ultimate decision.

Iris first exhibited symptoms at age 13, including severe panic attacks, headaches, and stomach pains. These were later diagnosed as severe depression and a functional neurological disorder (FND). A neurological crisis left her wheelchair-bound for nearly two years. Her mother, Cissy Dekker, described Iris as "a sensitive, intelligent, and extremely curious girl" who was passionate about reading, drawing, tennis, and athletics.

As her mental health deteriorated, Iris became increasingly isolated, experiencing insomnia and withdrawing from contact with her family and others. At 15, she made two suicide attempts. Her mother recounted the first attempt, where Iris tried to hang herself, and a few months later, a second attempt involving cutting her wrists, which her father discovered and rushed her to the hospital.

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She felt like she was in a black hole. She no longer had feelings – neither joy nor sadness. There was nothing to look forward to and nothing to look back on.

Her father, Omar Dekker, recalled Iris saying she felt like she was in a "black hole," devoid of emotions like joy or sadness, with nothing to look forward to or back upon. She also described time passing unbearably slowly, with hours feeling like days. A week after one of her suicide attempts, Iris informed her psychologist that she no longer wished to live and first raised the topic of euthanasia.

While individuals over 16 in the Netherlands can request euthanasia without parental consent, family consultation is required, along with a complex evaluation and treatment process. At 16, Iris officially submitted her request to the Dutch Expertise Center for Euthanasia. She underwent months of psychotherapy and numerous medical treatments.

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From the day she was born, Iris was always curious. She always asked how things worked and wanted to understand the world.