Table 2.

Achieving Patient Understanding of the Following

1. Ominous conditions have not been found

2. Surgery, further testing, and consultation not necessary

3. Problem is somatic and real

4. Their somatic diagnosis and its mechanism

5. Stress, depression, and anxiety key part of illness — and medications help

6. They are not a “psych case”

7. Narcotics and tranquilizers aggravate the problem

8. Cure is not likely — but improvement is possible