To the Editor:

I enjoyed Dr. Virginia Mohl's article, “Words of Wisdom for Patients and Physicians,” [July/August 2000] that recommended good books for physicians' offices. I'd like to make some recommendations as well.

I'm Scared, one of a series by Elizabeth Crary, gives children choices for dealing with their fears, shows possible outcomes for each choice and even explains a method of desensitization.

Learned Optimism and The Optimistic Child, by Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD, are useful resources for those who are anxious, depressed or underachieving. In easily understood terms, Dr. Seligman, a past president of the American Psychological Association, discusses his research, screening tests for resilience and a proven method of decreasing the incidence of depression in the adolescent years.

Love Is Never Enough, by Aaron T. Beck, MD, discusses marital discord from the point of view of a cognitive therapist. Beck explains the relationship between unspoken expectations and the partners' associated feelings about the marriage in a way that could substantially strengthen the relationship.

These are wonderful mental health resources for us and for our patients.