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Thomas Szasz who criticised his specialty and opposed coercion

Thomas Szasz, psychiatrist (b 1920; Szasz opposed involuntary psychiatric treat- A popular lecturer q 1944, University of Cincinnati), died on ment, drug treatments for mental disorders, In 1956, after two years of military service at the 8 September 2012, after falling at home and using insanity as a defence in crimes. “I am US Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, probably the only psychiatrist in the world whose he joined Upstate Medical University. His lectures In 1964, Szasz had the honour of being invited to hands are clean,” Szasz once said. “I have never were lively and well attended, and Szasz quickly speak at the 120th annual meeting of the Ameri- committed anyone. I have never given electric became the department’s most popular teacher. A can Psychiatric Association in Los Angeles. It was shock. I have never, ever, given drugs to a mental quarter of new residents specifically chose Upstate his first invitation to speak to the group—and his patient.” to study with him. last. Throughout his life Szasz remained a vocal But by the late 1950s he already was attract- Szasz was not on good terms with the associa- critic of , lecturing widely and writing ing, from the department’s perspective, unwanted tion. In 1961 he had published a book attacking 35 books and hundreds of papers, including one attention for his controversial views on psychia- the specialty, The Myth of Mental Illness: Founda- in the BMJ.2 He was a hero to patient advocates try, which had social, political, and ideological tions of a Theory of Personal Conduct. He argued around the world, while critics argued that undertones. His second book—Law, Liberty and that so called mental illnesses are not diseases had proved that some mental illnesses had genetic Psychiatry: An Inquiry into the Social Uses of Men- but instead are simply “problems in living” that or chemical roots. tal Health Practices—was the first to use the term might include “undesirable thoughts, feelings, and “He influenced major aspects of psychiatry,” “the therapeutic state,” a union of government behaviours.” He called psychiatry a says Mantosh Dewan, a protégé of Szasz at Upstate and . State of New York health officials “in the company of alchemy and astrology.” Medical University in Syracuse, New York, and contacted Upstate officials and wanted Szasz fired, later chairman of the psychiatry department. but they lacked authority to do so. Not amused “Even if psychiatry did not embrace the ‘myth of In 1969 Szasz collaborated with the Church of The psychiatry establishment was not amused, mental illness,’ Tom did force an uncomfortable Scientology to found the Citizens Commission on viewing the book and Szasz’s subsequent attacks focus on the arbitrariness of psychiatric diag- Human Rights, which opposed psychiatric treat- as a declaration of war. At the 1964 meeting, noses. In the 1960s his views influenced de-insti- ments. He never became a Scientology member, Szasz outlined his controversial ideas. But six tutionalisation, with the discharge—freeing—of but the association damaged his credibility and he other had been invited to read tens of thousands of patients.” later distanced himself from the group. Despite all papers denouncing Szasz’s ideas, including Dewan adds: “He raised awareness of the use of the controversies and tensions within the depart- Henry Davidson, whose paper was entitled “The psychiatric diagnoses for social and political con- ment, Szasz remained personally popular until New War on Psychiatry.”1 Some felt the proceed- trol, abuses that are much easier to see in ‘enemy’ retirement in 1990. ings had the feel of a public heresy trial. countries such as the old Soviet Union.” “He was the quintessential old-fashioned “Tom had a natural inclination to question Thomas Stephen Szasz was born in , European gentleman: warm, gentle, gracious, if not defy authority,” says Jeffrey A Schaler of Hungary, on 15 April 1920. His father was a law- and charming,” says Dewan. “Although he held American University in Washington. But Schaler, yer. In 1938, on the eve of the second word war, very strong views and vigorously promoted them, who operates a website dedicated to Szasz’s the family moved to the United States. Szasz stud- he was supportive and generous in allowing his work (www.szasz.com), says Szasz was not ied at the University of Cincinnati, first earning a students and colleagues to find their own path.” opposed to psychiatry. “He believed in psychia- physics degree and then a medical degree in 1944. In 2010, Szasz was invited to give a keynote try between consenting adults. Tom did not want After a psychiatry residency at the University of address at the International Congress of the coercion to exist. He was anti-coercion, not anti- Chicago he trained at the Chicago Institute for Psy- Royal College of Psychiatrists to honour the 50th psychiatrist.” choanalysis and became a staff +member. Anniversary edition of his first book,The Myth of Mental Illness. At the podium, the 90 year old man He felt that quipped: “It’s unimaginable that the American freedom was Psychiatric Association would have done this.” more important of University College London was there. “The room was full to overflowing,” she than health, and says. “In his talk he started by saying that the thing that psychiatry that had motivated him above all was a love of used the freedom, one that was fostered through his expe- language of riences of Nazi Europe. He felt that freedom was health to curtail more important than health, and that psychiatry freedom used the language of health to curtail freedom.” Szasz leaves two daughters, a brother, and a grandson. Ned Stafford journalist, Hamburg, Germany [email protected] References are in the version on bmj.com.

JENNYPHOTOS.COM Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e7011

34 BMJ | 20 OCTOBER 2012 | VOLUME 345 OBITUARIES

leaves his wife, six children, and four director for a time. An outstanding David Wilson Barron grandchildren. neurology teacher, he did much to Judy Canning-Glass dispel the “neurophobia” of generations Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e6313 of medical students and junior doctors. Lately, he endured the increasing Eric Frankel difficulties of diabetes and chronic renal disease with energy and courage, Former consultant physician coping seemingly uncomplainingly with Wanstead Hospital (b 1913; home peritoneal dialysis and working he joined Banchory Group Practice, q St George’s Hospital Medical until shortly before his sudden death. He some 20 miles inland, and became Former consultant anaesthetist School 1938; MD, FRCP), died from leaves his wife, Lesley, and their three part of the transformation of a tranquil Musgrave Park and Royal Victoria bronchopneumonia on 8 November children. riverside village to a bustling commuter Hospitals, Belfast (b 1925; q Belfast 2011. Steve Pollock town with the advent of the oil industry 1948; MD, PhD, FFARCS); d 13 June Eric Frankel came to London from his Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e6319 to the northeast of Scotland. By 1977 2012. native Hamburg in Germany in 1933 to Roy was senior partner, and in 1990 David Wilson Barron’s main clinical study medicine. At the outbreak of war, David Schofield Jeffery Banchory became a lead fundholding interest was the care of patients while working at Old Church Hospital in practice, which generated a marked requiring major surgery, and he Romford, he was arrested as a national increase in administrative activity. He gave many years of service to the of the enemy and imprisoned in Canada. retired in 1997 and enjoyed locum work orthopaedic centre at Musgrave Following a petition for his release he for a few years. He leaves Rita, three Park Hospital, where he established returned to London to marry Constance children, and five grandchildren. efficient preoperative assessment and then joined the British Army, serving George H Mennie and high dependency units. He in the Royal Army Medical Corps, where Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e6312 developed improved anaesthetic he achieved the rank of major. After techniques, such as the use of epidural peace was declared he remained in John M Tomlinson morphine, and his 1982 textbook Palestine, working in local public health Former general practitioner (b 1921, Anaesthesia and Related Subjects until the NHS was established. q Cambridge 1952; DObst RCOG), Former general practitioner Alton in Orthopaedic Surgery was well d 22 April 2012. (b 1934; q Middlesex Hospital, received. Always interested in newer In 1940, David Schofield Jeffery London 1959; FRCGP), died from a intravenous anaesthetic agents, he requested deferred entry to study ruptured aortic aneurysm on published several papers on the clinical engineering in order to serve during 11 June 2012. pharmacology of the . the second world war with the Friends A keen golfer and knowledgeable Relief Service, equipping evacuation gardener, he had a close, lifelong hostels in Birmingham and working relationship with his church. He in a camp for displaced persons in leaves his wife, Marion; two sons; two He was appointed as a consultant Brunswick, Germany, in 1945. After the daughters; and 12 grandchildren. physician at Wanstead Hospital, London, war, he transferred to medicine and, Gerald Black where he remained until he retired. He after qualifying, pursued his vocation Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e6307 leaves two sons, six grandchildren, and as a family doctor in Old Windsor and five great grandchildren. Englefield Green. David and his wife John M Tomlinson joined a general William Geoffrey Canning Conor Ramsden Marion moved to Devon. David’s general practice in Chester in 1961 but left Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e6773 practice colleagues were reunited last for Alton in 1969. He helped set up a General practitioner Scarisbrick, year at his 90th birthday celebration. He new health centre, which opened in West Lancashire (b 1919; Peter Kenneth Philip Harvey leaves Marion, three children, and four 1974 and housed doctors and other q Liverpool 1943), died from coronary grandchildren. health professionals under one roof. heart disease on 22 August 2012. Former consultant neurologist Royal Robert Jeffery Medical students were welcomed. William Geoffrey Canning (“Geoff”) Free and Chase Farm Hospitals; Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e6314 John also lectured at three universities, joined the Royal Army Medical Corps emeritus consultant neurologist pioneered modern teaching techniques, and took out a short service regular Royal Free London NHS Foundation Alexander Fitzroy Maclean and published widely. After retiring commission. He was posted to India Trust; honorary clinical senior he set up the men’s health clinic in and worked with the 17th British lecturer University College London Former general practitioner (b 1939; Winchester Hospital, worked a medical General Hospital, 80th Parachute Field Medical School (b 1942; q Aberdeen 1965; DObst RCOG, charity for sexual health, and helped Ambulance, and the 1st Battalion of q Cambridge/London 1966; MRCS, MRCGP), died from metastatic underprivileged children in east London the Royal Scots regiment. He later FRCP), d 3 August 2012. oesophageal on 12 January into medical careers. John was a catalyst set up a single handed practice Peter Kenneth Philip Harvey trained at 2012. for change, initiating new projects and in Stoneycroft, Liverpool, and on the Middlesex Hospital and the National Alexander Fitzroy Maclean (“Big Roy”) using creative ideas and the skilful reaching retirement age undertook Hospital in Queen Square before being started studying veterinary medicine management of people and resources. locums and worked as a paid assistant appointed consultant neurologist to the in Glasgow before starting his medical He leaves his wife, Pat; their four in a large practice in Kirkby. He finally Whittington and Chase Farm hospitals. course in 1960. After graduating in children; and eight grandchildren. retired at age 77 and managed to He moved to the Royal Free Hospital 1965 he married Rita, his lifelong Pat Tomlinson catch up with a little oil painting. He in 1978, where he served as medical partner. After house jobs in Aberdeen Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e6316

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