Category: 1boringoldman

When did you meet Mickey?
2008

Where did you meet him?
He wrote to me by E-mail.

Memory of Mickey
Our first contact was somewhat fraught. An E-mail arrived from Mickey out of the blue. He reproduced the 2006 letter to The Wall Street Journal from Bob Rubin and myself that followed our exposing of the chair of Emory’s psychiatry department for undisclosed conflict of interest (inter alia). Mickey reproduced our letter to WSJ in his E-mail and added a snippy question: Didn’t you train (him)? I set Mickey straight and referred him to the correct people.

A silence of 18 months or so followed, then I stumbled upon the 1Boringoldman blog, began commenting there, and pretty soon we started up a regular dialogue. Along the way I was able to give Mickey some pointers about where or how to look for good information on KOL-COI issues and corporate shenanigans in the psychiatric drugs business. What I recall most about that period was Mickey’s remarkably rapid learning curve, not to mention his prodigious output. Also, though he was diffident at first, he quickly integrated with groups of experts to whom I introduced him, and he made serious contributions to our rolling informal seminars.

The culmination of Mickey’s transformation from psychoanalytically oriented practitioner to card carrying research analyst was, of course, his key role in the RIAT deconstruction of Glaxo Study 329. What he did was a tour de force.

Losing Mickey has for me been like losing a brother. We grew up professionally in the same era, so we had a great deal in common. I still get bothered on a daily basis when I realize that I can no longer share with him some juicy new gossip, or newly published article, or a new outrage, or just a fun piece.

May he rest in peace and may his archival work remain through his website.

When did you meet Mickey?
2012

Where did you meet him?
1BOM

Memory of Mickey
I started reading 1boringoldman.com around 2012, as I was finishing my child psychiatry training. I was struck by Mickey’s wonderful ability to delve into the nuances of research with a critical eye that I did not often see elsewhere. He inspired me with his tenacity in going after the truth, his dedication to his profession even after he “retired,” and most of all, his decency as a human being and doctor.

Over the past 5 years, I looked up to Mickey as a role model and fount of wisdom. I corresponded with him via email and the comments section of his blog, and he was always kind and encouraging. Though I never got to meet him in person, I’m deeply saddened by his passing, and I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Nardo family.

When did you meet Mickey?
2006

Where did you meet him?
Blogging world

Memory of Mickey
I discovered a very articulate commentator on various psychology based blogs such as “Pharmalot” as the mysterious “Dr. Nardo”. I added his comments soon thereafter in links to my mental health based “question authority on Pharma” blog. Over many years after that we had many discussions via blogs and emails. He is (was) a great person and I want to thank him for all he has done with detailed information and discussion. Rest in peace our dear friend.
-Soulful Sepulcher blog

Where did you meet him?
1BOM

Memory of Mickey
Rest in Peace Dr. Nardo. Your life will serve as guidance to our son who is currently pursuing his medical education and eventual career in the field of psychiatry. Your obituary will be read by our son whom will learn about your concerns about various psychiatric drugs. Your life and experiences serve as guiding light for others that will follow in helping the mentally ill. Thanks to Dr. Allen Frances of Twitter for introducing us to Dr. Nardo.

When did you meet Mickey?
2011

Where did you meet him?
his blog

Memory of Mickey
One of my children had severe behavioral problems in grade school/ secondary school, and I had to deal with researching all the medicines they gave him or wanted to give him. (He is doing better now) Mickey’s blog was one of the shining lights of real science for those of use who are not steeped in biochemistry & medical data analysis, but can get by — and need more unbiased information to help the ones we love. I will miss Mickey.

When did you meet Mickey?

Where did you meet him?
1BOM

Memory of Mickey
I greatly respected Mickey Nardo’s approach to psychiatry, which animated his blog and gave it heart. He proved that thoughtful criticism can arise from careful analysis flavored with wisdom and experience, and that it can be presented respectfully, without polemics and theatrics. Mickey had a knack for slamming the hypocritical and self-serving without slamming the profession he clearly loved. I was particularly impressed by his close reading of the literature, and by his ability to attend to minute details of research design and presentation. Mickey was, in all these ways, a colleague I looked up to and admired.

There are plenty of defenders of today’s mainstream psychiatry, and many critics as well. And there are countless others who don’t care one way or the other. But there was only one Dr. Nardo, who lent both his heart and brain to improving our field. I’m glad to have known him, if only online.

When did you meet Mickey?
2015

Where did you meet him?
Through his blog and association with David Healy

Memory of Mickey
I went to his blog from time to time. He wrote very well and many times with much appreciated humor. I hope his family knows, or will know, how much “1BOM” meant to us who experienced the darker side of our medications. I eat Paxil, the drug Mickey Nardo was re-researching as a part of the “study 329” RIAT-team. Condolences from Ove, Sweden.

When did you meet Mickey?

Where did you meet him?
1boringoldman

Memory of Mickey
He was my inspiration and my hero. I already miss him so very much. What a loss. We needed Mickey to write one more chapter.
My deepest sympathy.

When did you meet Mickey?
2011

Where did you meet him?
Blog

Memory of Mickey
I never met Mickey, however I have been a big fan of his writing for years. His writing is well known and well respected in the mental health/anti-psychiatry blogosphere. Mickey has helped raise awareness of the misdeeds of psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry and his writing will be studied for years to come. RIP Mickey, and condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Where did you meet him?
1boringoldman

Memory of Mickey
During grad school and clinical training, I learned the joy and wonder of developing a network of younger friends and colleagues and benefiting from their restless energy and enthusiasm. However, it was through Dr. Nardo and his blog that I learned the satisfaction of listening to, and corresponding occasionally, with a diverse group of (mostly) older and far more experienced professionals.

I have benefited greatly from the wisdom of so many who visited 1BOM, and I’m grateful to all of them – Bernard Carroll, Dr. O’Brien, Dr. Hassman, Sandra Steingard, Joseph Arpaia, Steve Lucas, George Dawson, Berit, Gagan, and so many others. I was always treated with respect here, even during debates which sometimes became quite strident. If I posted intemperately– and I certainly have at times– I was sometimes criticized sharply, but never made to feel unwelcome.

1BOM wasn’t, and isn’t, an echo chamber where you can expect to hear your favorite ideas parroted endlessly. For me, it was more like some wild, endless seminar with an interactive syllabus and over a dozen different professors from all over the world.

It’s very rare to find communities like that online these days, and that’s because there’s no one like Dr. Nardo to lead them. I am very, very grateful. And I am very, very sad. My heartfelt condolences to Abby and the rest of Mickey’s family and friends; my grateful thanks for the pictures and memories.