Prevention and treatment of relationship distress.

Relationship distress is likely to be a pervasive problem among patients seen by the primary care physician. Further, it can influence the patient's mental and physical health and well-being. The physician should play a role in the prevention and the alleviation of relationship distress. The author suggests how the physician can help prevent relationship distress by providing anticipatory counselling. In addition, some guidelines for effective physician intervention in cases of mild distress and for successful referral in cases of significant distress are outlined.