Helping patients manage stress.

Stress and worry are always a part of our patients' problems and frequently the sole cause of their symptoms. Ways of relieving anxiety in different types of patients are described, according to complexity and time required. The main principles are: adequate diagnosis; explanation of the stress symptom cycle; supportive reassurance; identification and reduction of stressors where possible, and varying degrees of personal development to bring patients' level of functioning and adjustment up to match his stresses. Objections and difficulties are discussed, together with benefits such as diminised use of anxiolytics; a healthier adjustment for the patient, and greater job satisfaction for the physician.