Severe illness and negative emotional states can compromise a patient's capacity for autonomous decision-making, because the experience of pain, fear and anger, prevent them from "taking in" all the relevant information.

Informed consent requires the patient to have full knowledge of their condition and the available options

Withholding information may result in a heightened state of fear, anxiety and confusion. It may add considerably to a patient's distress and prolong the necessary adjustment process thereby causing harm.

If disclosure of certain information is deemed to cause the patient excessive distress and emotional harm, the doctor may be justified in withholding such information.

The patient needs to be fully informed of their medical condition in order to be able to make autonomous decisions without manipulation.