The BOPZ, a new Dutch Mental Health Act, enhances the right of the patient to self-determination and partially restricts the application of compulsory admission. At present this right to self-determination has such a priority that the right of the patient to health care could be endangered, according to some psychiatrists. The BOPZ forces psychiatrists to formulate new answers to the question: `to act or not to act'. The BOPZ might tempt them to a defensive answer: do not act, as it is not allowed, as there is no danger. However, their Code of Practice might call them to an answer more offensive in nature: to act because this is in the interest of the patient. Compulsory admission and treatment are inversely related to the ability of the patient to function autonomously. Treatment of a mental illness might help the patient to get into a better position to use his right to self-determination.