Letters for March 30, 2006

No help for the needy
Re “High anxiety” (Cover story, March 16):

The article “High Anxiety” was disappointing. I have had Anxiety/Panic for 20 years and always want more information on it. It offered no help, no hope, no solutions. I’m sorry he has such extreme anxiety; my heart goes out to him, but it’s such a scary medical problem with such a stigma attached, and the medical profession knows so little about it—and so many people suffer from it—that I felt it was irresponsible.

Anxiety/panic disorders have a very low rate for seeking help and finding it. One study found that people see 10 or more doctors before being properly diagnosed, and that only one out of four receive proper treatment.

Years ago, I was unable to get in a car, let alone drive. I was frozen in fear 24-7. The biggest fear that anxiety/panic people have is that they’re going crazy. Thinking that is just one of the symptoms.

Here’s the good news: With a little research, people suffering from one of these disorders can get help, and life can be good again.

Some Web sites offer information: Anxiety Panic Attack Resource Site www.anxietypanic.com. Another good site is www.algy.com/anxiety. Steer clear of sites produced by makers of medications.

Panic disorder is treatable (although not curable) through a variety of approaches: therapy, yoga, exercise, medication, meditation and communication. It takes lots of work and commitment.

Today, although I am symptom-free, the fear of what could be is never far from my mind. I have often wanted to start a support group in Reno for those of us suffering. If anyone is interested, please contact me at <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> </script>.

Kaati Gaffney
Reno

Shooting lessons
Re “Shooting shock” (News, March 16):

As a parent of a Pine Middle School student, I feel the need to speak out about the shooting incident. I have seen the news and read the newspaper articles, and it seems to me that the media has tried to make the shooting related to the location of the school: “off Neil Road.” The shooting could have been anywhere, on any school campus. The problem was within the 14-year-old boy, not the school or where it is located.

If anything, this should be a wake-up call to parents about being more involved in the everyday lives of their children.

One article stated the boy who did the shooting was, “tired of people making fun of me.” As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children individuality and respect for others.

I’d like to know how the children that did make fun of him feel now. Will they change how they treat others?

I do believe that the boy had some issues within himself that he did not know how to cope with. The sad thing is that he felt this was the way to handle it. Once again, as parents, we need to keep lines of communication open for our children and talk to them.

For this boy to have gone to this extreme to make a point was wrong. As a parent, I feel for him and pray for the victims, the suspect and his family. As a person, I’m pissed off at what he has done to our school and community. We need to stand behind our children and support Pine Middle School through this.

On a final note, we knew the suspect’s name and had his mug shot on the 5 p.m. news. Where are his rights as a minor?

I read in your newspaper that a mom moved here from Sacramento to “get away from the violence.” Violence has no geographical boundaries. Our children need to realize that temporary situations do not require such permanent solutions.

Jessica Briggs
Reno

It’s a university system
Re “Pay your tuition” (Letters, March 23):

I was pleased [with the publication of] my letter concerning UNR’s policy change barring TMCC students access to Getchell library computers and that I received a response to that letter. Unfortunately, I did not learn anything new from Mr. Zinc’s letter. A close reading revealed that he had used some of my points with a bit of window dressing and skipped many more important points. It is true that the public has access to the Getchell library and also to the federally funded mining school library. But a UNR Community Borrowers’ card costs $25 a year, whereas the TMCC card is free. Also, the TMCC library computers are open to the public, even to UNR students.

With TMCC students on the average being older, many are working. Consequently, they are also paying taxes. In addition to their regular tuition, TMCC students, like UNR students, are paying technology fees. In this case, the special computer labs are restricted to TMCC students. A number of people have reported that UNR students are using these labs to take advantage of free printing, which UNR does not provide for its students.

Mr. Zinc seems to lack knowledge of the public library system. I have cards for Washoe County and Carson City. I have also used the Nevada State Library. Finally, I may someday take courses at UNR, but it would not be for the trivial reason of gaining access to UNR’s library computers.

John D. Daniels
Reno