I believe Peter Kramer's data may not account for special sub-cohorts.

Albiet anectodal I have taken care of US workers for over 35 years in the practice of Occupational Medicine. Frankly I am weary of seeing workers who have lost their jobs, are fearful of losing their jobs, or who are miserable because of tyranical bosses and psycho-toxic work environments. These workers in my practice are increasingly turning toward psychotropic medicines to "adjust" or to "cope".

These meds are not the answer to the plight of an increasing number of US workers who have become victims of failed US economic and labor policies.

Dr. Rick Lippin

Southampton, Pa

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Mr. Lippin: You raise an excellent point. However, as I addressed in another post, is the the correct solution to adress the cause? Or rather to simply criticize the patient and treatment, as so many seem to want to do? Obviously a healthier and more secure job environment would be a massive improvement over what your patients are experiencing. However, do you have the power to effect that change? No, you do not. You can only adress and treat the result of it, and that can include therapy, medication, or other methods. When you say "These meds are not the answer..." Are you arguing that the patients you see should not receive them, and just suffer? I hope not (and I don't think that's where you were going). Yet that is the argument some make.

Adressing some of the root causes of disorders is something we routinely address in physical illness, yet for mental illness, we seem to merely criticize the treatment of them, as if reducing that will reduce the problem. I commend you for bringing up the unfortunate state of the american workplace, yet I implore you to continue to offer treatment for those hurt by it, until things change.