DR Philip Gaskell writes of the proven value of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in the treatment of mild to moderate depressive states and anxiety disorders (Letters, December 8). These, along with greater use of clinical psychologists, may be less cost efficient in the short to medium term than the use of anti-depressant drugs. However the inappropriate use of the latter result may produce long-term dependence.

The benefits of drug therapy have to be weighed against the potential downsides. The introduction of effective anti-depressant drugs has enabled patients to be treated in the community and continue in stable relationships and employment while only those severely disturbed patients, considered at risk to themselves or others, require in-patient treatment.

It would be wrong to over criticise the prescribing of anti depressants but there are grounds for reviewing the use of alternative treatments that may be more appropriate in some circumstances.

Malcolm Allan,

2 Tofthill Gardens,

Bishopbriggs,

Glasgow.

MANY diabetes patients will value Dr Philip Gaskell’s letter (December 12) acclaiming your report of the effectiveness of a low-calorie diet in reversal of Type-2 diabetes in a general practice study while correcting the funding figure from £32.8 million to under £3m to date.

Having close knowledge of two women in the earlier stages of MS, I draw attention to the vital importance of research into dietary and lifestyle treatment of MS in a world where most funding goes into drug-development and related research, encouraged by the vast funds pharmaceutical companies command. The debit in this long-established trend is a range of drugs approved but carrying harmful side-effects, so that naturally only those suffering advanced stages of the disease accept them in hope that the short-term alleviation is not overtaken by damage. When will society speak up for the unfairly neglected study of treatments based on the commonly accepted adage that we are what we eat, and how we choose (or are conditioned) to live? The ancient faith in a pill or injection is sadly embedded in our psyche. Any longing for a fresh start could read Overcoming MS by Professor George Jelinek.

Martin Archibald, 49 Kinpurnie Road, Oldhall, Paisley.

I WAS alarmed to read your editorial on obesity (December 13) correlating measures to restrict tobacco sales with restricting sales of food. Obesity is a complex problem but comparing food to tobacco is irresponsible. Food is essential to our existence. Bad diets are important to tackle but suggesting individual foods are responsible and should be restricted by government is not supported by the evidence.

Obesity is a much more complex problem with education, activity and industry action all having their place. We must not get drawn in by simplistic analogies to tobacco that do not stand up to the evidence and do not reflect the complexity of the problem.

David Thomson, Chief Executive,

Food and Drink Federation Scotland, 10 Bloomsbury Way, London.