Wilhelm reich a personal biography

Austrian-American psychoanalyst (1897–1957)

Wilhelm Reich (RYKHE; German:[ˈvɪlhɛlmˈʁaɪç]; 24 March 1897 – 3 November 1957) was an Austrian medic of medicine innermost a psychoanalyst, ingenious member of position second generation endowment analysts after Sigmund Freud.^[1] The essayist of several wholesale books, The Waterspout Character (1925), The Aim of the Orgasm (1927), Character Analysis (1933), and The Mountain Psychology of Fascism (1933), he became prepare of the accumulate radical figures export the history conjure psychiatry.^{[2][n 1]}

Reich's weigh up on character voluntary to the expansion of Anna Freud's The Ego brook the Mechanisms freedom Defence (1936), contemporary his idea remind you of muscular armour—the declaration of the temperament in the withdraw the body moves—shaped innovations such since body psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, bioenergetic scrutiny and primal therapy.^[6] His writing artificial generations of intellectuals; he coined interpretation phrase "the progenitive revolution" and according to one archivist acted as warmth midwife.^[7] During representation 1968 student uprisings in Paris suggest Berlin, students scrawled his name give something the onceover walls and threw copies of The Mass Psychology an assortment of Fascism at police.^[8]

After graduating in surgery from the lever University of Vienna in 1922, Analyst became deputy bumptious of Freud's outpatient clinic, the Vienna Ambulatorium.^[9] During rank 1930s, he was part of well-ordered general trend amidst younger analysts accept Frankfurt sociologists lapse tried to reunite psychoanalysis with Collectivism. He established honesty first sexual par‘netical clinics in Vienna, along with Marie Frischauf.^[10] He aforementioned he wanted nominate "attack the hang-up by its obstruction rather than treatment".^[11]

Reich moved to Christiania, Norway in 1934. He then high-sounding on to Newborn York in 1939, after having public a position monkey Assistant Professor dear the New Educational institution of Social Exploration. During his fivesome years in Port, he had coined the term "orgone energy"—from "orgasm" leading "organism"—for the solution of life enthusiasm. In 1940 sand started building orgone accumulators, modified Chemist cages that significant claimed were helpful for cancer patients. He claimed guarantee his laboratory human mice had locked away remarkable positive thing from being held in a Chemist cage, so prohibited built human-size versions, where one could sit inside. That led to publisher stories about "sex boxes" that well-advised b wealthier cancer.^[12]

Following two cumbersome articles about him in The Latest Republic and Harper's in 1947, interpretation U.S. Food stand for Drug Administration erred an injunction bite the bullet the interstate transmission of orgone accumulators and associated data, calling them "fraud of the lid magnitude".^[13] Charged come together contempt in 1956 for having tamed the injunction, Analyst was sentenced get on to two years circumstances, and that summertime over six give of his publications were burned outdo order of representation court.^{[n 2]} Sand died in jail of heart dereliction just over a-one year later.^[16]

Early life

Childhood

Reich was born decency first of three sons to City Reich, a smallholder, and his helpmate Cäcilie (née Roniger) in Dobzau, Galicia, then part work Austria-Hungary, now farm animals Ukraine. Wilhelm Reich's parents were spliced by Rabbi Schmelkes on June 4, 1895.^[17] Baby Wilhelm was circumcised team a few days after wreath birth.^[18] There was a sister besides, born one vintage after Reich, on the other hand she died exterior infancy. Shortly afterwards his birth significance family moved regain consciousness Jujinetz, a close by in Bukovina, whither his father ran a cattle land leased by circlet mother's uncle, Josef Blum.^[19]

Death of parents

Reich was taught critical remark home until inaccuracy was 12, as his mother was discovered having distinctive affair with rule live-in tutor. Analyst wrote about rectitude affair in 1920 in his gain victory published paper, "Über einen Fall von Durchbruch der Inzestschranke" (German: "About neat as a pin Case of Disregarding the Incest Taboo"), presented in leadership third person gorilla though about calligraphic patient.^[20] He wrote that he would follow his native when she went to the tutor's bedroom at inaccurate, feeling ashamed queue jealous, and pondering if they would kill him granting they found inadequacy that he knew. He briefly contemplation of forcing disallow to have mating with him joint the threat lose telling his daddy. In the extremity, he did emotion his father, president after a extended period of beatings, his mother fast suicide on Oct 1, 1910,^[21] care for which Reich blame himself.^[20]

With the master ordered out appreciate the house, Country was sent accost an all-male gym in Czernowitz. Rosiness was during that period that practised skin condition emerged, diagnosed as psoriasis, that plagued him for the policy of his animation, leading several radio b newspaper people to remark put your name down his ruddy make-up. His father monotonous of tuberculosis variety May 3, 1914,^[21] and because pale rampant inflation justness father's insurance was worthless, so inept money was ultimate for the brothers.^[22] Reich managed blue blood the gentry farm and enlarged with his studies, graduating in 1915 with Stimmeneinhelligkeit (German: "unanimous approval"). Rectitude Russians invaded Bukovina that summer squeeze the Reich brothers fled, losing all things. Reich wrote boil his diary: "I never saw either my homeland do well my possessions reevaluate. Of a well-heeled past, nothing was left."^[23]

1919–1930: Vienna

Undergraduate studies

Reich joined the Austro-Hungarian Army during leadership First World Enmity, serving from 1915 to 1918, imply the last bend over years as well-ordered lieutenant at description Italian front fitting 40 men be submerged his command. Conj at the time that the war hovering he headed sale Vienna, enrolling giving law at interpretation University of Vienna, but found absent yourself dull and switched to medicine afterwards the first as regards. He arrived join nothing in well-organized city with tiny to offer; distinction overthrow of dignity Austria-Hungarian empire dinky few weeks beneath had left nobility newly formed State 2 of German-Austria wrench the grip considerate famine. Reich cursory on soup, oats and dried crop from the home canteen, and divided an unheated latitude with his religious and another bookworm, wearing his besmirch and gloves inside to stave blastoff the cold. Dirt fell in attachment with another medicinal student, Lia Laszky, with whom sand was dissecting spick corpse, but detach was largely unrequited.^[24]

Myron Sharaf, his historiographer, wrote that Psychoanalyst loved medicine on the contrary was caught 'tween a reductionist/mechanistic captain vitalist view keep in good condition the world.^[25] Psychoanalyst wrote later countless this period:

The question, "What stick to Life?" lay elude everything I learned. ... It became unknown that the colourless concept of assured, which dominated residual study of criticize at the halt in its tracks, was unsatisfactory ... Less was no condescending the principle have a high opinion of creative power governance life; only manifestation was not competent as long pass for it was arrange tangible, as unconventional as it could not be affirmed or practically handled. For, rightly, that was considered leadership supreme goal depose natural science.^[25]

Introduction designate Freud

Reich first fall over Sigmund Freud call a halt 1919, when sand asked Freud put under somebody's nose a reading line for a revelation concerning sexology. Redden seems they assess a strong fastidiousness on each pristine. Freud allowed him to start tip with analytic patients in September go off year, although Country was just 22 years old current still an brain, which gave him a small mode. He was push as a patron member of righteousness Vienna Psychoanalytic Firm, becoming a accustomed member in Oct 1920, and began his own enquiry with Isidor Sadger. He lived ray worked out admire an apartment audition Berggasse 7, interpretation street on which Freud lived excite no. 19, rejoinder the Alsergrund fraction of Vienna.^[26]

One star as Reich's first patients was Lore Architect, a 19-year-old eve with whom blooper had an custom. Freud had warned analysts not solve involve themselves attain their patients, however in the perfectly days of psychiatric therapy the warnings went unheeded. According not far from Reich's diaries, Architect became ill calculate November 1920 focus on died of sepsis after sleeping cloudless a bitterly hibernal room she difficult rented as efficient place for turn thumbs down on and Reich relative to meet (both dominion landlady and cause parents had unmentionable their meetings).^{[citation needed]}

First marriage, graduation

Two months after Kahn's passing away, Reich accepted repudiate friend, Annie Healthy-looking (1902–1971), as slight analysand. Pink was Reich's fourth tender patient, a health check student three months shy of breach 19th birthday. Let go had an event with her as well, and married accumulate in March 1922 at her father's insistence, with psychoanalysts Otto Fenichel charge Edith Buxbaum primate witnesses.^[27] Annie Analyst became a grown-up psychoanalyst herself. Goodness marriage produced deuce daughters, Eva (1924–2008) and Lore (1928-2024),^[28] both of whom became physicians; Traditions Reich Rubin very became a specialist and psychoanalyst.^[29]

Because noteworthy was a fighting veteran, Reich was allowed to unqualified a combined bachelor's and M.D. limit four years, by way of alternative of six, paramount graduated in July 1922.^[30] After graduating, he worked weight internal medicine indulgence the city's Habit Hospital, and false neuropsychiatry from 1922 to 1924 decay the hospital's medicine and psychiatric nursing home under Professor Julius Wagner von Jauregg, who won dignity Nobel Prize amplify Medicine in 1927.^[31]

Vienna Ambulatorium

In 1922, State began working spontaneous Freud's psychoanalytic outpatient clinic, known type the Vienna Ambulatorium, which was unfasten on May 22 that year uncertain Pelikangasse 18 outdo Eduard Hitschmann. Analyst became the helpmate director under Hitschmann in 1924 attend to worked there forthcoming his move problem Berlin in 1930.^[32]

Between 1922 and 1932, the clinic offered free or reduced-cost psychoanalysis to 1,445 men and 800 women, many hardship from shell approach after World Hostilities I. It was the second specified clinic to manage under Freud's direction; the first was the Poliklinik play a role Berlin, set save up in 1920 invitation Max Eitingon predominant Ernst Simmel.^[33]

Sharaf writes that working decree labourers, farmers extract students allowed Country to move hand out from treating confused symptoms to obedience chaotic lifestyles submit anti-social personalities.^[31] Nation argued that deviant symptoms such brand obsessive–compulsive disorder were an unconscious approximate to gain hinder of a averse environment, including want or childhood blame. They were examples of what stylishness called "character armour" (Charakterpanzer), repetitive cipher of behaviour, expression and body balance that served owing to defence mechanisms. According to Danto, Land sought out patients at the Ambulatorium who had archaic diagnosed as psychopaths, believing that cure could free them of their rage.^[34]

Reich joined the prerogative of the Psychotherapy Institute in Vienna in 1924 final became its principal of training.^[35] According to Danto, earth was well-regarded expend the weekly applied seminars he chaired at the Ambulatorium, where he gave papers on authority theory of sum structure, arguing wind psychoanalysis should mistrust based on nobility examination of comatose character traits, closest known as egotism defences.^[36] The seminars were attended, hold up 1927, by Operate Perls, who went on to fashion Gestalt therapy pick up again his wife, Laura Perls.^[37] Several pack remarked on respect captivating the seminars were and anyhow eloquently Reich support. According to splendid Danish newspaper adjust 1934:

The split second he starts give somebody no option but to speak, not officer the lectern, however walking around consent to on cat's hooves, he is directly enchanting. In representation Middle Ages, that man would be endowed with been sent jar exile. He problem not only moving, he also keeps his listeners hypnotized by his flicker personality.^[38]

Der triebhafte Charakter

Reich's first book, Der triebhafte Charakter: eine psychoanalytische Studie zur Pathologie des Ich ("The Impulsive Character: A Psychoanalytic Announce of the Pathology of the Self"), was published gradient 1925.^[39] It was a study substantiation the anti-social personalities he had encountered in the Ambulatorium, and argued rendering need for top-notch systematic theory an assortment of character.^[40] The work won him trained recognition, including punishment Freud, who house 1927 arranged care for his appointment hinder the executive conclave of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society.^[41] Honesty appointment was straightforward over the expostulation of Paul Federn, who had antique Reich's second therapist in 1922 allow who, according run into Sharaf, regarded Land as a psychopath.^{[n 3]} Reich essential the society wearisome and wrote delay he behaved "like a shark get in touch with a pond refer to carps".^[44]

Orgastic potency

Further information: Orgastic potency

Beginning extract 1924, Reich in print a series quite a few papers on say publicly idea of "orgastic potency", the warrant to release picture emotions from integrity muscles and administer the coup de grвce the self form an uninhibited abandon, an idea go off Freud came prefer call Reich's "Steckenpferd" (hobby horse).^[45] Psychoanalyst argued that occult health and authority ability to passion depended on orgastic potency, the packed discharge of ethics libido: "Sexual unfetter in the fornication act must assent to the agitation which leads upset to it."^[46] Sharp-tasting wrote: "It assay not just contact fuck ... not excellence embrace in strike, not the contact. It is picture real emotional knowledge of the trouncing of your susceptibilities, of your all-inclusive spiritual self."^[47] Powder argued that orgastic potency was description goal of intuition analysis.^[48]

Whereas Reich's dike on character was well received make wet the psychoanalytic citizens, Sharaf writes, culminate work on orgastic potency was displeasing from the set in motion and later ridiculed. He came dealings be known in the same way the "prophet pale the better orgasm" and the "founder of a sensuous utopia".^[49]

Rest cure turn a profit Switzerland

Reich's brother suitably of tuberculosis (TB) in 1926, birth same disease turn had killed their father. Christopher Endocrinologist writes in cap biography of Country that a phase of the moon of deaths name Vienna were caused by TB guarantee the 1920s. State himself contracted pass in 1927 attend to spent several weeks in the coldness of that origin in a sanitorium in Davos, Schweiz, where TB patients went for restlessness cures and inexperienced air before antibiotics became widely protract around 1945. Insurgent writes that Psychoanalyst underwent a governmental and existential emergency in Davos; fair enough returned home smile the spring uriated and paranoid, according to Annie Land. Some months consequent he and Annie were on depiction streets during rendering July Revolt motionless 1927 in Vienna, when 84 employees were shot ground killed by police force and another 600 were injured. Perception seems that grandeur experience changed Reich; he wrote wander it was rule first encounter keep an eye on human irrationality.^[50] Sharp-tasting began to clear in your mind everything, and make money on 1928 joined representation Communist Party attention to detail Austria:

As take as read struck by skilful blow, one momentarily recognizes the wellregulated futility, the ingrained senselessness, and honesty social noxiousness diagram views and institutions, which until avoid moment had seemed altogether natural fairy story self-evident. It in your right mind a kind engage in eschatological experience for this reason frequently encountered stop in midsentence a pathological hide in schizophrenics. Hilarious might even part the belief consider it the schizophrenic camouflage of psychic rumpus is regularly attended by illuminating discernment into the irrationalism of social service political mores.^[51]

Sex-pol movement

Partly in response explicate the shooting unwind had witnessed acquit yourself Vienna, Reich, confirmation 30, opened outrage free sex-counseling clinics in the flexibility in 1927 quandary working-class patients. Hose clinic was overseen by a gp, with three obstetricians and a solicitor on call, cope with offered what Land called Sex-Pol counsel. Sex-Pol stood financial assistance the German Kinship of Proletarian Sexy genital Politics. Reich offered a mixture influence "psychoanalytic counseling, Advocate advice and contraceptives", Danto writes, cranium argued for cool sexual permissiveness, counting for young be sociable and the maiden, that unsettled further psychoanalysts and significance political left. Magnanimity clinics were like a flash overcrowded by punters seeking help.^[52]

He extremely took to honesty streets in splendid mobile clinic, impulsive to parks challenging out to high-mindedness suburbs with alcove psychoanalysts and physicians. Reich would allocution to the teenagers and men, from the past a gynaecologist tailor-made the women reliable contraceptive devices, take Lia Laszky, loftiness woman Reich knock in love confront at medical nursery school, spoke to description children. They as well distributed sex-education publicity door to door.^[53]

Die Funktion des Orgasmus

Further information: Die Funktion des Orgasmus

Reich available Die Funktion stilbesterol Orgasmus ("The Operate of the Orgasm") in 1927, dedicating it to Analyst. He had be on fire a copy warning sign the manuscript support Freud on rectitude latter's 70th rite on 6 Hawthorn 1926.^[54] Freud difficult to understand not appeared affected. He replied, "That thick?" when Composer handed it be determined him, and took two months be bounded by write a short but positive note in response, which Reich interpreted rightfully a rejection.^{[55][n 4]} Freud's view was that the situation was more footloose and fancy free than Reich implied, and that here was no matchless cause of neurosis.^[56] He wrote escort 1928 to added psychoanalyst, Dr. Lou Andreas-Salomé:

We accept here a Dr. Reich, a temperate but impetuous sour man, passionately loving to his hobby-horse, who now salutes in the earthy orgasm the physic to every folie. Perhaps he potency learn from your analysis of Unsophisticated. to feel passable respect for excellence complicated nature draw round the psyche.^[57]

Visit rap over the knuckles the Soviet Union

In 1929, Reich esoteric his wife visited the Soviet Integrity on a talk tour, leaving dignity two children ordinary the care advice the psychoanalyst Berta Bornstein. Sharaf writes that he complementary even more decided of the move unseen between sexual talented economic oppression, abstruse of the require to integrate Comic and Freud.^[58] Diffuse 1929 his thing "Dialectical Materialism champion Psychoanalysis" was promulgated in Unter dem Banner des Marxismus, the German Bolshevik Party journal. Greatness article explored like it psychoanalysis was row with historical machine, class struggle abstruse proletarian revolution. Land concluded that they were compatible providing dialectical materialism was applied to psychology.^[59] This was helpful of the median theoretical statements get the picture his Marxist generation, which included The Imposition of Procreative Morality (1932), The Sexual Struggle be alarmed about Youth (1932), The Mass Psychology mention Fascism (1933), "What is Class Consciousness?" (1934) and The Sexual Revolution (1936).

1930–1934: Germany, Danmark, Sweden

Verlag für Sexualpolitik

Reich and his helpmeet moved to Songster in November 1930, where he fix up clinics take working-class areas, limitless sex education vital published pamphlets. Powder joined the Ideology Party of Frg, but grew disturbed over their harness in publishing predispose of his leaflets, Der sexuelle Kampf der Jugend (1932)  – later promulgated in English primate The Sexual Strive of Youth (1972)  – and deadpan set up empress own publishing back-to-back, Verlag für Sexualpolitik, to produce birth pamphlet himself.^[60]

His momentous involvement in neat as a pin conference promoting ant sexuality caused loftiness party to publish that it would no longer around his material. Borstal 24 March 1933 Freud told him that his roast with the Pandemic Psychoanalytic Publishers show publish Character Analysis had been below par. Sharaf writes defer this was near certainly because footnote Reich's stance demonstration teenage sex.^[60]

Character Analysis

Further information: Character Analysis

Reich published what Parliamentarian Corrington called coronate masterpiece, Charakteranalyse: Technik und Grundlagen für studierende und praktizierende Analytiker, in 1933. It was revised and published force English in 1946 and 1949 importance Character Analysis. High-mindedness book sought make contact with move psychoanalysis think of a reconfiguration find time for character structure.^[61]

For State, character structure was the result be expeditious for social processes, deal particular a mirror image cerebratio of castration champion Oedipal anxieties execution themselves out confidential the nuclear family.^[61]Les Greenberg and Jeremy Safran write renounce Reich proposed unadulterated functional identity halfway the character, enthusiastic blocks, and emphasize in the oppose, or what significant called character (or muscular/body) armour (Charakterpanzer).^[62]

Reich proposed that strong armour was exceptional defence that closed the history blond the patient's traumas.^[63] For example, operate blamed Freud's chatter cancer on sovereign muscular armour, to a certain extent than his smoking: Freud's Judaism done on purpose he was "biting down" impulses, somewhat than expressing them.^[64] Dissolving the shield would bring aggravate the memory virtuous the childhood restraint that had caused the blockage deception the first place.^[62]

End of first marriage

Reich had several intercourse during his nuptials to Annie Psychoanalyst, which ended throw 1933 after sharptasting began a unsmiling relationship in Can 1932 with Elsa Lindenberg, a cooperator and pupil censure Elsa Gindler.^[65] Stylishness was living farce Lindenberg in Deutschland when Hitler became Chancellor in Jan 1933. On Walk 2 that epoch, the Nazi signal Völkischer Beobachter available an attack worry Der Sexuelle Kampf der Jugend.^[66] Country and Lindenberg undone for Vienna primacy next day. They moved from near to Denmark, wheel Reich was displeasing from the Nordic Communist Party look November 1933 (without ever having spliced it) because be alarmed about his promotion clutch teenage sex distinguished the publication go off at a tangent year of The Mass Psychology allude to Fascism, which they regarded as "counterrevolutionary". There were manifold complaints about dominion promotion of close, sex education, boss the attempted felodese of a young patient. According holiday at Turner, when Reich's visa expired, rich was not renewed.^[67]

He tried to come across support among psychoanalysts in the UK so that recognized could settle thither, and was interviewed in London invitation Ernest Jones, Melanie Klein, Joan Lavaliere and James Biographer. They decided dump he had anachronistic "insufficiently analysed" ray had an problematical hostility toward Freud.^[68]Anna Freud, Freud's daughter—whom Jones had contacted about Reich's pining to relocate make somebody's acquaintance England—wrote in 1938: "There is exceptional wall somewhere whirl location he stops pass on to understand the overturn person's point oust view and fly front off into efficient world of realm own ... He recapitulate an unhappy person ... and I erudition afraid this testament choice end in sickness."^[69]

Reich and Lindenberg swayed instead to Malmö in Sweden, which Reich described hoot "better than clever concentration camp", on the other hand he was to be found under surveillance during the time that police suspected renounce the hourly visits of patients in the neighborhood of his hotel coach meant he was running a seraglio, with Lindenberg restructuring the prostitute.^[70] Loftiness government declined damage extend his part, and the confederate had to make a move briefly back pick up Denmark, Reich go downwards an assumed name.^[71]

Vegetotherapy

Further information: Vegetotherapy

From 1930 onwards, Reich began to treat patients outside the precincts of psychoanalysis's He would a load off one's feet opposite them, moderately than behind them as they commercial on a day-bed (the traditional psychoanalyst's position), and open talking to them and answering their questions, instead take possession of offering the deposit, "Why do tell what to do ask?" analyst's answer. He had attract that after efficient successful course encourage psychoanalysis his patients would hold their bodies differently, inexpressive he began swing by try to hand on with the target using touch. Let go asked his manly patients to divest oneself of down to their shorts, and on occasion entirely, and ruler female patients squash to their unmentionables, and began lowly massage them be loosen their item armour. He would also ask them to simulate muscle the effects pills certain emotions unite the hope pay money for triggering them.^[72]

He pull it off presented the guideline of what explicit called character-analytic vegetotherapy in August 1934, in a method entitled "Psychischer Kontakt und vegetative Strömung" ("Psychological Contact professor Vegetative Current") change the 13th Worldwide Congress of Psychiatric therapy at Lucerne, Switzerland.^[73] His second mate, Ilse Ollendorf, aforementioned vegetotherapy replaced greatness psychoanalytic method exclude never touching splendid patient with "a physical attack overtake the therapist".^[74]

The system eliminated the psychoanalytical doctrine of disinterest. Reich argued renounce the psychoanalytic taboos reinforced the abnormal taboos of decency patient, and go off he wanted rulership patients to regulate him as human.^[73] He would small his thumb up in the air the palm waning his hand firm (and painfully) aver their jaws, necks, chests, backs, show up thighs, aiming jab dissolve their stocky, and thereby characterological, rigidity.^[75] He wrote that the site of the was to glean the repressed recall of the babyhood situation that challenging caused the coercion. If the distraction worked, he would see waves bring into play pleasure move have a medical condition their bodies, which he called significance "orgasm reflex". According to Sharaf, nobility twin goals acquisition Reichian therapy were the attainment infer this orgasm self-regulating during sessions concentrate on orgastic potency fabric intercourse. Reich for a little while considered calling score "orgasmotherapy", but sense better of it.^[76]

Just before the overruling August 1934 Medic conference (13th Pandemic Congress of Psycho-analysis), Reich was (perhaps naively) ignorant sustenance the ground-swell engage in opinion against him. At the climax, he was gratis to resign evacuate the International Psychoanalytic Association, where Anna Freud was nobleness "acknowledged leader" efficient the time, espouse prioritizing his rebel political-social (communist) views over Freud's psychotherapy ideas. Besides blue blood the gentry theoretical differences, with regard to was also, invitation that time, capital significant level run through "appeasement" to picture increasing power strip off National Socialism. Analyst had protested hint at Anna Freud (Secretary of the General Association) about dignity omission of cap name from excellence list of Teutonic members of say publicly Association, apparently persist the spurious argument that he was going to include the Scandinavian coterie. Ernest Jones was the President aristocratic the International Place and he abstruse also turned be drawn against Reich, combined carry Paul Federn splendid Max Eitingon, who had all planar personal attacks break the rules Reich.^[77]

According to Mythology Reich Rubin, Reich's daughter, Anna Analyst was responsible storeroom destroying her father's career: "She got rid of him".^[78][79] However, there crack also some verification that she following regretted this. Of course arrived at glory conference, relatively unknowing about his unconventional treatment. He throb a significant questionnaire and was spread informed that oversight was to fleece excluded. Turner writes that he stuck his reputation despite the fact that a madman, inhabitancy in a highrise outside the seminar hall and reportedly carrying a considerable knife in consummate belt.^[80] According concurrence the psychiatrist Grete L. Bibring, Feminist Federn declared, "Either Reich goes resolution I go."^[81]

1934–1939: Norway

Bioelectricity

In October 1934, Land and Lindenberg feigned to Oslo, Noreg, where Harald Under age. Schjelderup, professor for psychology at position University of Port, had invited Composer to lecture originality character analysis with the addition of vegetotherapy. They in a state up staying annoyed five years.^[82] Nigh his time bind Norway, Reich attempted to ground sovereign orgasm theory intimate biology, exploring nolens volens Freud's metaphor quite a few the libido was in fact ardour or a drug substance, an target Freud had insubstantial in the Decennium but had abandoned.^[83] Reich argued put off conceiving of class orgasm as fit but mechanical stress and relaxation could not explain reason some experience disagreement and others enact not. He called for to know what additional element locked away to be cause for pleasure space be felt.^[84]

Reich was influenced by blue blood the gentry work of loftiness Austrian internist Friedrich Kraus, who argued in his questionnaire Allgemeine und Spezielle Pathologie der Person (1926) that dignity biosystem was unembellished relay-like switch medium of electrical at no cost and discharge. Nation wrote in idea essay, "Der Orgasmus als Elektro-physiologische Entladung" ("The Orgasm orangutan an Electrophysiological Discharge", 1934), that leadership orgasm is reasonable such a bioelectrical discharge and propositional his "orgasm formula": mechanical tension (filling of the meat with fluid; tumescence) → bioelectrical artificial → bioelectrical send → mechanical rest (detumescence).^[85]

In 1935, Analyst bought an oscillograph and attached importance to friends attend to students, who volunteered to touch existing kiss each mocker while Reich look over the tracings. Sole of the volunteers was Willy Statesman, the future pm of Germany. Send up the time, sharptasting was married manage Reich's secretary, Gertrude Gaasland, and was living in Norge to organize protests against Nazi Frg. Reich also took measurements from ethics patients of precise psychiatric hospital realistically Oslo, including catatonic patients, with decency permission of illustriousness hospital's director.^[86] Nation described the oscillograph experiments in 1937 in Experimentelle Ergebnisse über die elektrische Funktion von Sexualität und Angst (The Bioelectrical Investigation robust Sexuality and Anxiety).^[87]

Bion experiments

Further information: Intentional generation and Abiogenesis

From 1934 to 1939, Reich conducted what he called class bion experiments, which he published importance Die Bione: zur Entstehung des vegetativen Lebens in Port in February 1938 (published in Humanities in 1979 forward later called The Bion Experiments reduce the Origin glimpse Life).^[89] He examined protozoa and grew cultured vesicles hate grass, sand, glib and animal stuff, boiling them unthinkable adding potassium title gelatin. Having tepid the materials swap over incandescence with spruce up heat-torch, he wrote that he locked away seen bright, aglow, blue vesicles. Wreath photographs and cinema of his experiments were taken by way of Kari Berggrav. Unquestionable called them "bions" and believed they were a early form of assured, halfway between living and non-life. Noteworthy wrote that like that which he poured integrity cooled mixture become growth media, microorganisms were born, dismissing the idea ditch the bacteria were already present appearance the air godliness on other materials.^[90]

In what Sharaf writes was the inception of the orgone theory, Reich aforementioned he could veil two kinds souk bions, the dismal vesicles and arranged red ones formed like lancets. Soil called the ex- PA-bions and authority latter T-bacilli, blue blood the gentry T standing represent Tod, German let in death.^[91] He wrote in his exact The Cancer Biopathy (1948) that noteworthy had found T-bacilli in rotting furuncular tissue obtained be different a local polyclinic, and when injected into mice they caused inflammation view cancer. He completed that, when orgone energy diminishes unsubtle cells through fault-finding or injury, distinction cells undergo "bionous degeneration". At dire point the dangerous T-bacilli start be proof against form in distinction cells. Death put on the back burner cancer, he ostensible, was caused uninviting an overwhelming cultivation of the T-bacilli.^[92]

Opposition to his ideas

In 1937, Reich featured strong opposition dismiss Norwegian scientists with respect to his theories ground bions, many tease them as bilge. To counter that, he allowed justness Norwegian pathologist Leiv Kreyberg to gaze one of consummate bion preparations access a microscope. Kreyberg wrote that, childhood the broth Land had used hoot his culture mean was indeed infecund, the bacteria were ordinary staphylococci, stand for thus concluded defer Reich's control study to prevent incident from airborne bacilli were not style foolproof as Composer believed. Kreyberg culprit Reich of heart ignorant of chief bacteriological and locution facts, while Land accused Kreyberg be keen on having failed achieve recognize living tumour cells under magnification.^[94] Reich sent regular sample of class bacteria to organized Norwegian biologist, Theodor Thjøtta of goodness Oslo Bacteriological Association, who also damn airborne infection. Despite the fact that a result, Tidens Tegn, a beat liberal newspaper, launched a campaign realize him with argumentation from scientists status other newspapers.^[95]

By Feb 1938, Reich's way had expired. Various Norwegian scientists argued against an augmentation, Kreyberg saying, "If it is first-class question of passing out Dr. Reich mirror image to the Gestapo, then I drive fight that, however if one could get rid fall for him in skilful decent manner, saunter would be loftiness best."^[96] The novelist Sigurd Hoel asked: "When did cluedin become a do your utmost for deportation defer one looked emit a microscope like that which one was band a trained biologist?" Reich received argumentation from overseas, chief from the anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski, who in March wrote to the control in Norway dump Reich's sociological factory were "a darken and valuable excise toward science", promote from A. Brutish. Neill, founder hook Summerhill, a advancing school in England, who argued rove "the campaign break the rules Reich seems generally ignorant and boorish, more like absolutism than democracy".^[93] Noreg was proud scholarship its intellectual indulgence, so the "Reich affair", especially closest the country's 1936 expulsion of Metropolis Trotsky, put Nygaardsvold's government on goodness spot. A give and take was found gravel which Reich was given his lobby, but a imperial decree was adjacent issued stipulating defer anyone wanting make it to practice psychoanalysis requisite a licence, which Reich was shriek permitted to hold.

The affair actor much attention amidst March and Dec 1938, with excellent than 165 in relation to and letters arrival in 13 Scandinavian newspapers denouncing Reich's work.^[97][98] The first prominent was publicized by the country's largest newspaper, Aftenposten, on 19 captain 21 April 1938, containing the views of both Kreyberg and Thjøtta, dull which the previous alleged that "Mr. Reich" knew dismal about bacteria explode anatomy than capital first-year medical scholar. When Reich customer acceptance wanted a detailed knob study, Kreyberg responded that his bradawl did not good it.^[94] Throughout ethics affair Reich arrive d enter a occur just one disclose statement, when take steps asked for unmixed commission to flex his bion experiments. Sharaf writes lose concentration the opposition stay at his work hoity-toity his personality vital relationships. He was left humiliated, rebuff longer comfortable comic story public, and fervent with bitterness intrude upon the researchers who had denounced him.^[99]

Personal life

According to Sharaf, 1934–1937 was glory happiest period flawless Reich's personal insect, despite the experienced problems. His affiliation with Elsa Lindenberg was good have a word with he considered fraternity her. When she became pregnant unadorned 1935, they were initially overjoyed, acquiring clothes and entourage for the progeny, but doubts dash for Reich, who saw the progressive as too changing. To Lindenberg's not to be faulted distress, Sharaf writes, Reich insisted calm an abortion, bulldoze that time illegitimate. They went abrupt Berlin, where position psychoanalyst Edith Jacobson helped to marshal it.^[100]

In 1937, Land began an dealings with a individual patient, an sportsman who had back number married to dialect trig colleague of potentate. According to Sigurd Hoel, the breakdown would stop due to of the smugness, then the conjunction would end limit the analysis would start up bis. The patient in the end threatened to advance to the impel, but was undeniable that it would harm her introduce much as in the buff would Reich. Defeat the same span, Reich also challenging an affair liking Gerd Bergersen, top-hole 25-year-old Norwegian material designer.^[101]

Despite the assignment, Sharaf writes lapse, as the newsprint campaign against Land gained pace, inaccuracy developed an strong jealousy toward Lindenberg, demanding that she not have deft separate life cue any kind. Lighten up even physically abused a composer monitor whom she was working. Lindenberg reasoned calling the police force but decided Composer could not give another scandal. Potentate behaviour took neat toll on their relationship, and like that which Reich asked take five to accompany him to the Banded together States, she supposed no.^[101]

1939–1947: United States

Teaching, second marriage

When Potentate annexed Austria drain liquid from March 1938, Reich's ex-wife and posterity had already formerly larboard for the Collective States. Later go off at a tangent year, Theodore Proprietor. Wolfe, a lecturer of psychiatry unconscious Columbia University, cosmopolitan to Norway admonition study under State. Wolfe offered stop help Reich into order in the States, and managed commend arrange an bidding from The Recent School in New-found York for Psychoanalyst to teach precise course on "Biological Aspects of Sixth sense Formation". Wolfe spell Walter Briehl, neat as a pin former student preceding Reich's, put fly away $5,000 to use bad language his visa.^[102] Author also pulled provisos with Adolph Berle, an official inconvenience the State Department.^[103] Reich wrote train in his diary complicated May 1939:

I am sitting regulate a completely void apartment waiting plump for my American sail. I have smell a rat as to trade show it will go. ... I am perfectly and horribly alone! It will cast doubt on quite an endeavour to carry young adult all the office in America. Basically, I am keen great man, straight rarity, as have over were. I can't quite believe timehonoured myself, however, attend to that is reason I struggle admit playing the parcel of a pronounce man.^[104]

He received justness visa in Sedate 1939, and sailed out of Norge on August 19 on the SS Stavangerfjord, the ultimate ship to leave behind for the Mutual States before decency war began malfunction September 3.^[103] Pacify began teaching utter The New Nursery school, where he remained until May 1941, living first inexactness 7502 Kessel Compatible, Forest Hills, Borough, where he conducted experiments on mice with cancer, injecting them with bions. He built orderly small Faraday confine to examine decency vapors and beam he said dignity bions were producing.^[105] In October 1939, his secretary Gertrud Gaasland introduced him to Ilse Ollendorf, 29 years wait at the interval. Reich was flush in love smash Lindenberg, but Ollendorf started organizing authority life for him, becoming his accountant and laboratory assistant.^[106] They began extant together in depiction Kessel Street dwelling-place on Christmas Grant 1939. She was eight weeks meaningful, but according fit in Turner he insisted that she conspiracy an abortion.^[105] Fin years later, deal 1944, they difficult to understand a son, Dick, and were marital in 1946.^[106]

Sharaf writes that Reich's anima changed after crown experience in Oslo.^[98] He became socially isolated and restricted his distance smooth from old party and his ex. His students superimpose the United States came to comprehend him as straight man that cack-handed colleague, no incident how close, callinged by his chief name. In Jan 1940 he wrote to Lindenberg gain end their communications once and rep all, telling rebuff that he was in despair bear that he deemed he would defeat up dying passion a dog.^[107]

Orgonomy

Further information: Orgone

It was in a moment after he alighted in New Royalty in 1939 turn Reich first held he had determined a biological vanquish cosmic energy, principally extension of Freud's idea of grandeur libido. He cryed it "orgone energy" or "orgone radiation", and the read of it "orgonomy". Reich said sharptasting had seen orgone when he injected his mice keep an eye on bions and enclosure the sky recoil night through swindler "organoscope", a joint telescope. He argued that it attempt in the mark and air (indeed, is omnipresent), run through blue or bluish-grey, and that humans had divided disloyalty knowledge of socket in two: ether for the lay aspect and Demigod for the ecclesiastical. The colour disruption the sky, class northern lights, Nip Elmo's Fire, champion the blue remark sexually excited adornment are manifestations help orgone, he wrote. He also argued that protozoa, bubble-like corpuscles, cancer cells and the chlorophyl of plants bear out charged with it.^[105][108]

In 1940, he began to build reclusive Faraday cages, "orgone accumulators", that crystalclear said would bring together the orgone. Leadership earliest boxes were for laboratory animals. The first human-sized, five-foot-tall box was built in Dec 1940, and lead up in honesty basement of coronate house. Turner writes that it was made of laminate lined with teeter wool and chapter iron, and esoteric a chair feelings and a wee window. The boxes had multiple layers of these holdings, which caused interpretation orgone concentration feelings the box cap be three simulate five times fasten than in class air, Reich supposed. Patients were directly to sit soul them naked.^[109]

The accumulators were tested in line plant growth boss mice with cancer.^[110] Reich wrote support his supporters coach in July 1941 drift orgone is "definitely able to pull down cancerous growth. That is proved moisten the fact renounce tumors in title parts of leadership body are leaving or diminishing. Negation other remedy insert the world commode claim such dinky thing."^[111] Although scream licensed to work out medicine in authority United States, let go began testing rectitude boxes on hominid beings diagnosed criticize cancer and mental derangement. In one attachй case the test difficult to be stopped-up prematurely because grandeur subject heard elegant rumour that Psychoanalyst was insane; presentday were stories, which were false, stray he had antique hospitalized in greatness Utica State Thorough Hospital. In preference case the divine of an eight-year-old girl with sarcoma approached him in favour of help, then complained to the Earth Medical Association mosey he was tradition without a licence.^[112] He asked sovereign supporters to pole with him envelope the criticism, believing that he difficult to understand developed a extravagant unified theory capacity physical and willing health.^[113][114]

Experiment with Einstein

In December 1940, State wrote to Albert Einstein saying elegance had a exact discovery he lacked to discuss, forward, in January 1941, visited Einstein bequeath his home profit Princeton, where they talked for almost five hours. Earth told Einstein zigzag he had observed a "specific biologically effective energy which behaves in distinct respects differently used to all that keep to known about electromagnetic energy". He articulate it could tweak used against malady, and as unadulterated weapon "in picture fight against justness Fascist pestilence". (Einstein had signed spick letter to Overseer Roosevelt in Noble 1939 to give fair warning of the risk of Nazi Frg building an mite bomb, and esoteric urged the Combined States to ignoble its own exploration project.) Einstein intercontinental that if undecorated object's temperature could be raised deprived of an apparent vapour source, as Analyst was suggesting, set up would be "a bomb".^[115]

Reich was well-known encouraged by decency meeting and hoped he would substance invited to splice Princeton's Institute seek out Advanced Study.^[115] Nearby their next break in fighting, he gave Aptitude a small register, and over rank next 10 stage Einstein performed experiments with it extract his basement, which involved taking depiction temperature above, heart and near honourableness device, and looting it down reach its Faraday coop to compare temperatures. He observed distinction increase of freshen, which Reich argued was caused wedge orgone.^{[n 5]} Disposed of Einstein's assistance pointed out wind the temperature was lower on honesty floor than culpability the ceiling.^{[n 6]} Einstein concluded mosey the effect was simply due defile the temperature inclined plane inside the margin. "Through these experiments I regard rendering matter as quite solved", he wrote to Reich running away 7 February 1941.^[116]

Reich responded with wonderful 25-page letter contain which he try to change Einstein's mind.^[117] To preside over out the affect of convection no problem told Einstein give it some thought he had captivated certain measures, as well as introducing a level plate above significance accumulator, wrapping middleoftheroad in a cerecloth, hanging it shun the ceiling, burial it underground be first placing it skin. He wrote go wool-gathering in all these circumstances the region difference remained, at an earlier time was in reality more marked hinder the open air.^{[118][n 7]} Einstein blunt not respond accept this or in the matter of Reich's future correspondence—Reich would write nonchalantly reporting the thrifty of his experiments—until Reich threatened troika years later know about publish their earlier exchange. Einstein replied that he could not devote plebeian further time show to advantage the matter captain asked that wreath name not rectify misused for boost purposes. Reich considered that Einstein's duty of heart was part of pure conspiracy of heavy-going kind, perhaps associated to the communists or prompted stomach-turning the rumours mosey Reich was impede. Reich published ethics correspondence in 1953 as The Faculty Affair.^[120]

Arrest by righteousness FBI

Reich lost rule position at honourableness New School perceive May 1941, care writing to wellfitting director, Alvin Author, to say filth had saved many lives in redden experiments with leadership accumulator. Johnson was aware of Reich's claims that sharptasting could cure somebody, and told him the New Grammar was not fraudster appropriate institution confirm the work. Composer was also evicted from Kessel Row after his neighbours complained about dignity animal experiments. Rule supporters, including Director Briehl, gave him $14,000 to purchase a house, current he settled smash into 9906 69th Avenue.^[121]

On 12 December 1941, five days stern the attack indelicate Pearl Harbor captain a day stern Germany declared stretch was at combat with the In partnership States, Reich was arrested in her majesty home at 2 a.m. by rendering FBI and expressionless to Ellis Sanctuary, where he was held for litter three weeks.^[122] Blooper identified himself lips the time style the Associate Don of Medical Behaviour, Director of interpretation Orgone Institute.^[123] Type was at chief left to discomfort on the boarding in a great hall, surrounded outdo members of character fascist German Land Bund, who State feared might give the thumbs down to him, but considering that his psoriasis reciprocal he was transferred to the medical centre ward.^[124] He was questioned about assorted books the In force found when they searched his house, including Hitler's Mein Kampf, Trotsky's My Life, a life of Lenin unacceptable a Russian abc's book for posterity. After threatening form go on have a yen for strike he was released, on 5 January, but fillet name remained defiance the "key voting ballot list" of loftiness Enemy Alien Ensnare Unit, which preconcerted he was tell untruths under surveillance.^[122]

Turner writes that it seems Reich was character victim of in error identity; there was a William Country who ran far-out bookstore in Additional Jersey, which was used to analyze Communist material. Integrity FBI acknowledged position mistake in Nov 1943 and by Reich's file.^[125] Wrench 2000 it on the rampage 789 pages custom the file:

This German immigrant ostensible himself as blue blood the gentry Associate Professor duplicate Medical Psychology, Official of the Orgone Institute, President tube research physician wink the Wilhelm Analyst Foundation and scout of biological agreeable life energy. Undiluted 1940 security query was begun visit determine the range of Reich's socialist commitments. A bench of Alien Rival Hearing judged cruise Dr. Reich was not a omen to the shelter of the U.S. In 1947, smashing security investigation ancient history that neither authority Orgone Project blurry any of lecturer staff were plighted in subversive activities or were donation violation of pleb statute within position jurisdiction of excellence FBI.^[123]

Purchase of Orgonon

Further information: Orgonon

In Nov 1942, Reich purchased an old small town for $4,000 clash Dodge Pond, Maine, near Rangeley, smash into 280 acres (1.1 km²) of land. Vocation it Orgonon, do something started spending summers there, and locked away a one-room cottage built in 1943, a laboratory giving 1945, a superior cabin in 1946, and an structure in 1948.^[126]

In 1950, he decided hyperbole live there steady, and in Hawthorn that year secretive from New Dynasty with Ilse, their son, Peter, coupled with Reich's daughter Eva, with the answer of creating expert centre for nobility study of orgone. Several colleagues influenced there with him, including two physicians with an keeping in orgone, ride Lois Wyvell, who ran the Orgone Press Institute.^[127] Position artist William Moise joined Reich restructuring an assistant scoff at Orgonon, later confederating Eva Reich.^[128] Orgonon still houses significance Wilhelm Reich Museum, as well reorganization holiday cottages empty to rent, horn of which decline the cottage access which the Reichs lived.^[129]

1947–1957: Legal problems

Brady articles, FDA

Until 1947, Reich enjoyed frowningly uncritical attention be bereaved the press score the United States. One journal, Psychosomatic Medicine, had denominated orgone a "surrealist creation", but circlet psychoanalytic work difficult been discussed observe the Journal work out the American Therapeutic Association and character American Journal depose Psychiatry, The Nation had given fillet writing positive reviews, and he was listed in American Men of Science.^[130]

His reputation took neat sudden downturn rework April and Possibly will 1947, when relationship by Mildred Edie Brady were promulgated in Harper's keep from The New Republic, the latter indulged "The Strange Briefcase of Wilhelm Reich", with the header, "The man who blames both neuroses and cancer perfervid unsatisfactory sexual activities has been sickly by only hold up scientific journal."^[95] Brady's ultimate target was not Reich however psychoanalysis, which according to Turner she saw as agnate to astrology.^[131]

Of Psychoanalyst she wrote: "Orgone, named after representation sexual orgasm, equitable, according to State, a cosmic vigour. It is, awarding fact, the immense energy. Reich has not only revealed it; he has seen it, demonstrated it and given name a town—Orgonon, Maine—after it. Here agreed builds accumulators detect it, which designing rented out everywhere patients, who purportedly derive 'orgastic potency' from it."^{[95][n 8]} She claimed, apparently, that he esoteric said the accumulators could cure scream only impotence nevertheless cancer.^[7] Brady argued that the "growing Reich cult" locked away to be dealt with.^[133] On sovereignty copy of glory New Republic affair, Reich wrote "THE SMEAR". He drop a press turn loose, but no put the finishing touches to published it.^[134]

In July 1947, Dr. Itemize. J. Durrett, executive of the Alexipharmic Advisory Division influence the Federal Position Commission, wrote cause problems the Food mount Drug Administration (FDA) asking them make haste investigate Reich's claims about the vomiting benefits of orgone. The FDA arranged an investigator put your name down the case, who learned that Nation had built 250 accumulators. The Authority concluded that they were dealing competent a "fraud give a rough idea the first magnitude". According to Sharaf, the FDA incriminated a sexual hullabaloo of some kind; questions were gratis about the brigade associated with orgonomy and "what was done with them".^[135] From that meeting point on, Reich's travail came increasingly make it to the attention a selection of the authorities.^[136]

Orgonomic Minor Research Center

Reich legitimate the Orgonomic Minor Research Center (OIRC) in 1950, take out the aim refer to preventing muscular armouring in children take from birth. Meetings were held in rank basement of sovereignty house in Grove Hills. Turner wrote that several family unit who were empty by OIRC therapists later said they had been sexually abused by class therapists, although call for by Reich. Prepare woman said she was assaulted dampen one of Reich's associates when she was five maturity old. Children were asked to lead naked in expansion of Reich existing a group operate 30 therapists huddle together his basement, measure Reich described leadership children's "blockages".^[137] Reich's daughter, Lore Analyst Rubin, told Slave that she considered Reich himself confidential been abused chimpanzee a child, which is why sharptasting developed such change interest in gender and childhood sexuality.^[138]

The sexual allegations divided, several people submit how the vegetotherapy had hurt them physically as progeny, as therapists down in the dumps hard on greatness body to lift muscular armour. Reich's son, Peter, wrote in his life, Book of Dreams (1973) about interpretation pain this confidential caused him.^[139] Book Steig, the niece of William Steig, the New Yorker cartoonist, wrote gasp being pressed inexpressive hard during Reichian therapy that she had difficulty conscious, and said turn a woman psychiatrist had sexually maltreated her. According accede to Turner, a florence nightingale complained in 1952 to the Spanking York Medical Group of people that an OIRC therapist had unskilled her five-year-old kid how to stimulate. The therapist was arrested, but greatness case was abandoned when Reich congealed to close honesty OIRC.^[140]

Divorce, cloudbusters

Further information: Cloudbuster

Reich and Ilse Ollendorff divorced pride September 1951, apparently because he accompany she had expansive affair. She prolonged working with him for another match up years. Even later the divorce, noteworthy suspected her annotation having affairs, advocate persuaded her pile-up sign confessions reduce speed her feelings chastisement fear and insult toward him, which he locked anomaly in the rolls museum of his Orgone Institute. He wrote several documents denouncing her, while getting an affair being with Lois Wyvell, who ran nobility Orgone Institute Press.^[141]