Hagop S. Akiskal, M.D. (1944 -2021)

Hagop S. Akiskal, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and an internationally recognized expert on bipolar disorder, died on January 20, 2021. He was 77.

Dr. Akiskal had been senior science adviser at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 1990 to 1994 under then-NIMH Director Lewis Judd, M.D. He helped to develop a detailed classification of presentations within the bipolar spectrum and identified a close correlation between some personality disorders, and cyclothymia. His work also included studies of the treatment of bipolar spectrum and borderline personality disorder.

Friend and UCSD colleague Dilip Jeste, M.D., a past president of APA, told Psychiatric News, “He had a huge influence on our diagnostic system for bipolar disorder and approach to the management of these patients. His work was initially considered controversial but is now seen as visionary.”

Dr. Akiskal was the 2005 recipient of APA's George Tarjan Award. His Annual Meeting lecture that year was titled “Temperament, Mood Disorder and Human Nature.” Named after APA’s first international medical graduate (IMG) president, the George Tarjan Award, established in 1992, recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions to the enhancement of the integration of IMGs into American psychiatry.

Born in Lebanon to Armenian parents, Dr. Akiskal obtained his medical degree from the American University of Beirut in 1969 and his psychiatric training at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was a professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of Tennessee from 1972 to 1990 before being recruited as senior science advisor at NIMH.

After leaving NIMH, Dr. Akiskal came to UCSD. Dr. Jeste noted that in recognition of Dr. Akiskal’s fundamental contributions to mental health and mood disorders in particular, the UCSD Department of Psychiatry has established, in his honor, the Hagop Akiskal Mood Disorders Memorial Fund. The fund will support research, education, and clinical care of people with mood disorders. Individual wishing to contribute to the fund should click here. ■