My grandparents passed away many years ago. I was thinking of them the other day and I was wondering how things would have turned out if they were Objectivists. Long before I was born my grandmother had what the doctors called a nervous breakdown. The family didn't talk about this much but from what I was told she was unable to make her own medical decisions. It was recommended to my grandfather that the accepted treatment be used---electric shock therapy. I'm guessing the doctors deemed it a success. She no longer had wide up and down mood swings but she was a shell of her former self. According to my mom she was fun loving and out going before. After the treatment she became extremely withdrawn and had difficulty walking(not sure if it was from the treatment). My grandfather stayed with her until his death taking care of her every need. It was quite a burden on him and I feel he stayed out the guilt he felt for allowing the shock treatments to be done. Would an Objectivist say he should have left and led a more full filling life? Wasn't he being personally responsible for his actions? They seemed happy in their own way but I still wonder if he did the right thing.