Letters

I read with interest the article by Dr. Ladouceur, 'Prescribing happiness' (September issue) and all the responses in the November edition (p.771-3). They're good general advice but remain on a superficial level. We need to mindfully and compassionately listen to our patients, and help them understand the causes of their unhappiness. Can they see things more clearly and be truer to themselves?
I believe that trying to escape necessary suffering, and actively pursuing happiness, will cause a lot of misery. Not to make anyone sad, but I submit that we cannot prescribe happiness.