LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Prozac For Students

Sir, The fact that GPs are prescribing Prozac for teenagers experiencing
stress, anxiety and depression at exam time (report, August 21; feature,
August 26) confirms the power of the pharmaceutical industry.

Recent non-randomised clinical trials on the herb St John's wort indicate
it to be as effective as Prozac, but with none of the side-effects. In
addition, a recent paper published on the effect of psychological
intervention on immunity during exam stress has shown that hypnotherapy
prior to examinations increases both calmness and energy and improves mood.

As there is no patent on hypnotherapy or St John's wort, it is not in the
interests of those who command marketing budgets to publicise these facts.

Yours sincerely BARBARA BUTCHER, The Orchard Clinic, 4 Orchard Lane,
Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP6 5AB. bb@purpose.demon.co.uk August 27.