From Adrian Ellis
Catherine Wikholm and Miguel Farias report that 7 per cent of people on meditation retreats experienced adverse effects, including panic and depression (16 May, p 28). But in the same issue Chloe Lambert mentions that 10 per cent of Americans aged 12 and over are estimated to be taking anti-depressants (p 35). If this means around 10 per cent of attendees on meditation courses have depression, for only 7 per cent to experience it while on the course seems an endorsement.
Hampton, Middlesex, UK
