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January 19, 2007

Art Buchwald Dies at 81

The humorist Art Buchwald , famous for his satirical newspaper columns, died January 17, 2007. He died one year after he refused dialysis for kidney failure which he was told would cause his death imminently. His life story is told in a front page obituary in the New York Times of January 19.

His early life was marked by trauma. He decided as a young child to turn his despair into humor. A few weeks after he was born into a Jewish immigrant family, his mother was hospitalized for delusions and remained in the hospital the rest of her life. He was forbidden to see her and after he was an adult he decided not to visit her. His father was unable to take care of him, and he was sent to an orphanage at age three, followed by a series of foster homes until the family was later reunited. An account of his early distress and his ultimate success is contained in his memoir, Leaving Home. He has wondered if his birth caused his mother’s illness and he told his psychiatrist that he has conducted "a lifelong search to replace her."

Although he was characteristically upbeat and able to enjoy life, he underwent several serious depressions along with suicidal feelings. At one point he and two friends, Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes and the novelist William Styron, were experiencing depressions at the same time, and they formed a sort of mutual support group, naming themselves the Blues Brothers.

Related Links:

- "Art Buchwald, Whose Humor Poked the Powerful, Dies at 81," The New York Times, January 19,2007
- "Goodbye, My Friends," Art Buchwald, The Washington Post, January 19,2007

Posted by admin at 11:23 AM

January 16, 2007

Psychoanalysts Look at Opera

The opera with its music and high drama is fertile ground for explorations of the human psyche and the human condition thereby enriching a patron's experience of it. Two local psychoanalytic societies, the DC Program of the New York Freudian Society and the
Baltimore Washington Society for Psychoanalysis, are combining their efforts to provide a series of programs on the operas presented by the
Baltimore Opera Company beginning with Tosca in spring 2007.

Dr. Thomas Allen, a Baltimore psychiatrist and psychoanalyst with an interest in the opera since medical school will be the first discussant

The story of Tosca is driven by the artist Cavaradossi in the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle painting a picture of Mary Magdalene based on a woman he has seen outside of the church. This fuels Tosca's jealousy and leads to the tragic events of the opera.

Because Puccini was also an artist, albeit in another medium, Dr. Allen will discuss the relationship of the "Artist and his Muse" from a psychoanalytic perspective and how this might help us to understand both the composer and the work.

The talk will be given April 29, 2007 starting at 7 PM at the home of Dr. William Wimmer with selections of the opera chosen to illustrate themes of the talk. A light supper will be provided. Space is limited,
reservations are necessary and they will be on a first come first serve basis, cost is $50 per person.

To make reservations call the Friends of Chamber Music, sponsors of the artist side of the program, at 410.321.0553.

Related Links:

- Baltimore Washington Society for Psychoanalysis
- DC Program of the New York Freudian Society
- DC Program of the New York Freudian Society" target="_blank">Baltimore Opera Company

Posted by admin at 01:45 PM

Apply now for 2007 Outstanding Merit Award

Each year, The Board of the Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry reviews
submissions from across the state of Maryland for its Award of Outstanding Merit. The award is given to those who advance the Foundation objectives of increasing the public awareness and understanding of mental illness, enhancing the quality of care and reducing the stigma of mental illness.

Deadline for submissions for the 2007 award is March 1, 2007.

You may submit nominees using the form here (PDF) (or this form in Word format). Information on the form will tell you where to mail it.

Related Links:

2004 Award of Outstanding Merit winner

Posted by admin at 01:31 PM