Illness behavior and anomie in family practice.

Patients who present with physical complaints that have a psychosocial source are often dissatisfied with reassurance that nothing is physically wrong. This is frustrating to the physician, who may elect to refer the patient, do nothing further-or address the issue of illness behavior. This article analyzes the effects of the physician's response on the doctor/patient relationship, and outlines several methods of psychotherapy which can be used to change illness behavior.