Stress: How to Help Patients Cope

Abstract

Stress plays a significant role in more than half of the complaints that bring patients to a physician's office. Stress can overlap and interact with many physical illnesses, making both overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis dangers. A few well-targeted questions and an appropriate workup can often clarify whether stress is involved. And some simple interventions, such as prescribing exercise and offering patients the handout on page 71, will put most patients on the road to healthier coping.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carl Sherman

Carl Sherman is a freelance writer in New York City.