Full access
Letters to the Editor
Published Online: 6 March 2009

Merger of Psychiatry, Neurology

Thomas Szasz, M.D.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 44, Number 5
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.44.5.0025
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
In the November 21, 2008, issue Stuart Yudofsky, M.D., is quoted as proposing that psychiatry and neurology be “combined into one discipline” and stating that “[i]t would obviate the mind-body dualism that is the source of all stigma against mental illness, and against us [as psychiatrists], and it would reestablish psychiatry as a medical specialty.” Do psychiatrists really believe this combination of historical amnesia and denial of their long record of human rights abuses?
From its origins more than 300 years ago until well into the 20th century, psychiatry and neurology made up a single discipline, called“ mad-doctoring” and “neuropsychiatry.” Consider the following:
•
1884: Theodor Meynert (1833-1892), neuropsychiatrist: “The reader will find no other definition of 'Psychiatry' in this book but the one given on the title page: Clinical Treatise on Diseases of the Forebrain. The historical term for psychiatry, i.e., 'treatment of the soul,' implies more than we can accomplish, and transcends the bounds of accurate scientific investigation.”
•
1889: Carl Wernicke (1848-1905), neuropsychiatrist: “The medical treatment of mental patients begins with the infringement of their personal freedom.”
•
Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926), Adolf Meyer (1866-1950), and their colleagues were all neuropsychiatrists, sharing the assumption that mental diseases are brain diseases.
Inasmuch as psychiatry is taught in all medical schools as a medical specialty, Dr. Yudofsky's reference to “reestablish[ing] psychiatry as a medical specialty” seems redundant, to say the least.
Lastly, Dr. Yudofsky ascribes “the source of all stigma against mental illness” and psychiatrists to “the mind-body dualism.” I disagree. It lies in the psychiatrist's fundamental legal-social mandate and practices—coercion and excuse making (civil commitment and the insanity defense).

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 44 • Number 5 • March 6, 2009
Pages: 25

History

Published online: 6 March 2009
Published in print: March 6, 2009

Authors

Details

Thomas Szasz, M.D.
Syracuse, N.Y.
View all articles by this author

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.