Letters

Why Do We Worry Ourselves Sick?

Your cover story "The Science Of Anxiety" was a welcome relief [HEALTH, June 10]. The anxiety disorder is one of the last mental-health taboos because others, such as depression and bipolar disorder, have received a lot more attention in recent years. And the taboo seems to be rooted in the belief that anxiety conveys a weakness; it is misunderstood and not taken seriously. Your report will help sufferers enormously. STEPHEN J. FITZMARTIN Philadelphia

It was very refreshing to read about ways other than medication that can be used to alleviate anxiety. Lifestyle changes, therapy, exercise and alternative treatments can all help. In this age of biochemistry, we all too often prescribe medication first and consider other options later. Overdependence on antidepressants or tranquilizers could make people feel even more helpless, out of control and, yes, anxious. Giving people active tools to help them learn to manage anxiety is always a crucial step. Medication may or may not be an appropriate form of treatment, but empowering a person is always appropriate. MARY RAYMER Williamsburg, Mich.

Who isn't anxious today? If you're a Catholic mom and your son is an altar boy, what do you really know about the priest your son is assisting? If you're someone who has to cross the Golden Gate Bridge daily, what's your bigger worry? A toll hike or that slow-flying plane overhead? Anxiety is everywhere. TRISH HOOPER Portola Valley, Calif.

I suffer from anxiety. I have consumed my share of prescription drugs (which only mask the problem temporarily) and done my share of behavioral therapy, with no luck. I have to say the most frustrating aspect of anxiety is that people around you who don't suffer from it haven't the slightest clue what you are going through. And that can make you feel even more isolated and depressed. AL CAMARDELLA JR. Doylestown, Pa.

Anxiety, even more than depression, is very difficult to describe. The best analogy I can come up with for family, friends and co-workers is that anxiety is a little like that nervous feeling you get the night before the first day of school, except you have it all the time. This illness has interfered with all aspects of my life, from getting a decent job to shopping for groceries. But I will fight this, no matter what. Who knows? I may even win. MELANIE HOLMES Robbinsdale, Minn.

--Some readers felt the cover picture and the illustrations for our story on anxiety only added to the worries of the overstressed. "The creepy cover shot and the horrific images within the article probably scared those who suffer from anxiety away from picking up your magazine," declared a Worthington, Ohio, man. And a reader in New York State criticized the cover picture on different grounds. "This photograph stigmatized those who suffer from anxiety as lacking strength of character and willpower. The true face of someone with anxiety could be depicted by a photo of any office worker, including people at TIME."

Homeland Surveillance

How do I feel about the domestic spying that goes along with increased security measures to guard against terrorism [NATION, June 10]? Well, does anyone have a better idea? I don't care if I'm spied upon, and there are people who do things we need to fear. I think the government ought to hammer them. Why don't we support the agencies that are trying to protect us, rather than try to tie their hands? (MSGT) TERRY NEES U.S.M.C. (RET.) Bartlesville, Okla.

How can the U.S. claim to be defending freedom while contemplating ways of increasing domestic spying and limiting our freedom? Will future terrorist attacks result in additional limitations to freedom? Failure to prevent the Sept. 11 attacks apparently happened because of turf wars, ineptitude and a lack of intelligence coordination, not for lack of the necessary information. DUANE PETERSEN Fircrest, Wash.

You noted that civil libertarians warn that "the letter and spirit of the Constitution do not endorse the sacrifice of privacy for security." When the Constitution was drafted, we did not have dirty bombs, suitcase atomic weapons, computers or easy worldwide travel. Give me security, and take some of my privacy--please. BILL ZISEK Houston

Kashmir on the Brink

India and Pakistan must overcome their mutual hatred and not pass it on to future generations [WORLD, June 10]. After the Kashmir problem is solved, neither leader of these nations should create war hysteria to gain political advantage. Ethics in politics and elimination of the root causes of tension are prerequisites to breaking the cycle of terrorism. OWAIS JAFREY Seattle

Incursions into Kashmir across the Line of Control and the attack on the Indian Parliament are clearly terrorist acts, no less cruel than those of Sept. 11. How can we win the war on terror with leaders like Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who shows solidarity with the U.S. in its fight against al-Qaeda on Pakistan's western borders and at the same time supports Kashmiri militants on Pakistan's eastern borders, dubbing their acts those of freedom fighters? SANJAY AMLADI New Brunswick, N.J.

Types of Terrorists

I beg to differ with part of Michael Elliott's view in "Not All Terrorists Are Alike" [ESSAY, June 10]. Elliott agrees with the assertion of Rohan Gunaratna, author of a scholarly study on al-Qaeda, that Osama bin Laden "never interpreted Islam to assist a given political goal. Islam is his political goal." This idea implies that bin Laden's attempts to undermine secular governments and establish Islamic religious law are not political in nature. While his stated goals include the ouster of U.S. troops from Arab soil and the destruction of Israel, bin Laden uses terrorist means to push his political agenda into areas where people have been disenfranchised by the failure of Islamic governments. Bin Laden employs terrorism to achieve his political aims because Islamic states do not allow change from within. DONALD CREASBAUM Hammond, Ind.

Dare to Skip It

Your item on actress Jennifer Garner's upcoming movie, Daredevil, noted that she gets to wear great costumes, like the form-fitting, black leather outfit she sports in the photo accompanying your piece--which her ninja character wears to "go out killing" [PEOPLE, June 10]. How sickening! Is Hollywood intent on continually glorifying violence with movies that feature ridiculous plot lines and scantily clad women? Thanks for saving me 10 bucks. Daredevil is one movie I will not be seeing! ALISHA DHILLON SINGH Bellevue, Wash.