Dr. Judith L. Rapoport, a pioneering American psychiatrist whose groundbreaking research illuminated the complexities of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders and whose best-selling book brought obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) into public consciousness, passed away on March 7, 2026, at the age of 92. Her passing in Washington, D.C., marks the end of a distinguished career that profoundly shaped the understanding and treatment of mental health conditions in children and adolescents.

Born Judith Helen Livant in Manhattan on July 12, 1933, Dr. Rapoport grew up on the Upper West Side, nurtured by a family that encouraged her intellectual curiosity. She pursued her academic interests at Swarthmore College, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1955. Her commitment to science and humanitarianism led her to Harvard Medical School, where she earned her medical degree in 1959, notably as one of only five women in her graduating class.

After marrying Stanley Rapoport in 1961, she embarked on research fellowships in Sweden in 1962, including studies at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. It was there that she was introduced to the principles of "biological psychiatry," a methodology emphasizing objective, quantitative approaches to psychiatric research, which contrasted with the prevailing psychoanalytical orientation in American psychiatry at the time. This experience laid the foundation for her future work in neurobiology and evidence-based treatments.

Dr. Rapoport joined the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 1976, where her career truly flourished. By 1984, she was appointed chief of NIMH's Child Psychiatry Branch, a leadership role she held until her retirement in 2017. Under her guidance, her research group at NIMH conducted pivotal studies on childhood-onset schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with a particular focus on diagnosis and brain development.

Her most significant contribution to public understanding came with the publication of her 1989 best-selling book, "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing: The Experience and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." This groundbreaking work, translated into numerous languages, demystified OCD for a global audience, sharing the poignant stories of individuals grappling with the condition and highlighting the availability of effective treatments. The book's success led to appearances on national talk shows, further amplifying awareness of OCD.

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Rapoport received widespread recognition for her contributions. She was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Medicine in 1991 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2000. Her accolades included the Blanche F. Ittleson Award for Research in Child Psychiatry (1987), the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award (1991), the American Psychiatric Association Award for Research (1992), the Ruane Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research (2002), and the Edward M. Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience (2005).

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Rapoport was known for her vibrant personal life. She and her husband, Stanley, lived for over 50 years in Washington, D.C., where they raised their two sons, Erik and Stuart. An avid reader, gardener, and lifelong hiker, she found relaxation in nature and enjoyed cultural pursuits like opera and theater. Dr. Rapoport's legacy extends through her family, her countless publications, and the generations of patients and researchers whose lives were touched by her dedication and pioneering spirit.