INTERNATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK, LTD.
                                P.O. Box 578
                            Poway, CA 92074-0578
                           Phone: (858) 486-9745
                             Fax: (858) 486-9760
                          E-mail: nac01@juno.com

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                              Test Description

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                        S A M P L E   P R O F I L E
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                     BECK ANXIETY INTERPRETIVE PROFILE
                 International Mental Health Network, Ltd.


  TC: 134


                                FACILITY ID: 123
                                 PATIENT ID: 1231234
                     SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: 123-45-6789
                                  LAST NAME: Doe
                                 FIRST NAME: John
                                     GENDER: Male
                                        AGE: 35
                                       RACE: White
                    HIGHEST GRADE COMPLETED: 12
                             MARITAL STATUS: Married
                                 OCCUPATION: Teacher
                  CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Employed
                       INPATIENT/OUTPATIENT: Outpatient
             NUMBER OF INPATIENT ADMISSIONS: 1
            NUMBER OF OUTPATIENT ADMISSIONS: 2
                     DATE OF LAST DISCHARGE: 04/01/1998
                       YEARS OF ALCOHOL USE: 5
                          YEARS OF DRUG USE: 2
               SUBSTANCES USED LAST 2 YEARS: Marijuana
                                             Cocaine

                         SOURCE OF REFERRAL: Physician
                            FINANCIAL CLASS: HMO
                 DATE OF LAST PHYSICAL EXAM: 01/01/1998
                             ADMISSION DATE: 08/01/1998
                            DATE OF TESTING: 09/01/1998
                                 BECK SCORE: 31


  ____________________________________________________________________________
  This clinical  profile is a confidential  assessment report intended for use
  by professional  staff  only.  Its purpose  is to provide clinicians  with a
  comprehensive clinical picture of each patient under their care, and to help
  maximize  therapeutic  effectiveness  through careful assessment,  treatment
  planning,  relapse prevention,  and aftercare.  Recommendations made in this
  profile do not imply that existing clinical approaches should be replaced or
  modified.  Their intent  is to further  promote individualization of patient
  treatment planning, multidisciplinary approach to treatment of each patient,
  patient's  participation in own recovery process,  and continuous monitoring
  and reassessment of the  therapeutic process for mutual  benefit of both the
  patient and  clinical staff.  Statements in this  profile are hypotheses for
  further consideration in combination with  other  clinical  factors utilized
  in therapy. This profile is intended for use by a multidisciplinary clinical
  team.
  ____________________________________________________________________________





    ________________________________     _______________      ______________
         Reviewing Professional               Title                Date


               COPYRIGHT (C) 1998 IMH-NETWORK  ISBN 1-58028-074-9
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998


                           PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS
                                                                                 
    John Doe is a 35 years old male who, during the administration of Beck       
 Anxiety Inventory, reported a number of clinical symptoms indicating a high     
 level of anxiety, and a presence of a clinically valid disorder.                
                                                                                 
    It is possible that John Doe may experience anxiety in various degrees,      
 and for various reasons. This could also be related to a variety of causes.     
 In a clinical situation, although often nonspecific as a symptom, anxiety may   
 be an indicator of a presence of significant underlying pathology, and it if    
 not addressed and treated properly, it can exacerbate and easily inhibit        
 various aspects of his rehabilitative process.                                  
                                                                                 
    Since all anxiety disorders can have medical cause or component, it is       
 highly recommended that John Doe receives a comprehensive medical exam prior    
 to initiating strictly psychological or psychiatric care. This could help
 rule out biological or environmental etiology.                                  
                                                                                 
     Symptoms of anxiety reported by John Doe should be assessed for duration,   
 constancy, and intervals during which it appears to diminish or cease
 completely. Possible precipitating factors should be identified such as
 stress, lack of sleep, substance abuse, smoking, excessive caffeine intake,     
 or other types of behavioral patterns which may be the causative factors.       
                                                                                 
     Also, his own method of coping and alleviation should be identified. A      
 complete medical history should be obtained from him with an emphasis on drug   
 use. If required, a physical examination should be performed with a focus on    
 his complaints which may triggered or  aggravated by anxiety.                   
                                                                                 
     Due to the level of anxiety reported by John Doe it is recommended that     
 his vital signs should be taken and the chief complaint identified. Symptoms    
 such as temporary losses of consciousness, sudden sharp pain, appearance of     
 sudden confusion or fugue states, dizziness, chest pains, etc. should be        
 regarded as indicators of possible physiological pathology.                     
                                                                                 
     Should psychotherapy be a treatment of choice for him, it should be
 oriented toward resolving the presence of both acute, and eventually  chronic   
 anxiety states. Psychosocial side effects of such anxiety are often  shown in   
 poor planning skills, high stress levels, and difficulty in relaxing.           

     Reducing his stress and increasing overall coping skills may prove to be
 beneficial in helping him. Individual therapy is the recommended treatment      
 modality. Medication should be prescribed if the anxiety symptoms are serious   
 and interfering with normal daily functioning. Psychotherapy and relaxation     
 techniques can't be worked on effectively if John Doe is overwhelmed by         
 anxiety or cannot concentrate.                                                  
                                                                                 
     Tricyclic antidepressants often are an effective treatment alternative to   
 benzodiazepines and may be a better choice over a longer treatment period.      
 Medication for this disorder should only be used to treat acute symptoms of     
 anxiety. Medication should be tapered off when it is discontinued.              
                                                                                 
     An ability to discern and respond appropriately to real danger should be    
 maintained. Complications are probably more common in more severe or more       
 chronic cases and may include any of the following:                             

     - fatigue and/or excessive daytime sleepiness due to sleep disturbance
    and/or sedating medications;

     - social isolation due to phobic avoidance or stigmatization;
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998

     - poor academic or vocational performance due to impaired concentration;

     - unnecessary medical procedures or treatments for somatization;

     - secondary depression, comorbidity, and exacerbation of other
       disorders;

     - "contagion" of anxiety within family, creating family problems or
       exacerbating preexisting family difficulties;

     - impaired self-esteem and distorted self-concept, impacting on
       continuing development.

     Many support groups exist within communities throughout the world which
help individuals with this disorder share their common experiences and feelings 
of anxiety. John Doe should first be able to tolerate and effectively handle a 
social group interaction.
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998



                        DIAGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS

     These diagnostic impressions are formulated on the basis of clinical
 characteristics of this profile type, and symptoms presented by the patient
 at the time of administration of this assessment. They are intended to
 provide clinical staff with a diagnostic framework within which finaldiagnoses  
 should be formulated based on ongoing clinical observations, multidisciplinary 
 assessment, and continuing interactions with John Doe throughout the treatment  
 process.

     As each type of psychopathology is based on very dynamic psychological
 processes, John Doe's clinical picture may change along the course of the
 therapeutic continuum. Such changes could be caused by the nature of the
 disorder, individual differences among patients, types of psychiatric
 comorbidities, a possibility of patient's negative reaction to treatment,
 specific issues inherent in treatment philosophy, nature of operant clinical
 modalities, an numerous other complex factors.


                       DSM-IV DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSIONS

              300.3   - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder;
              300.01  - Panic Disorder Without Agoraphobia;
              293.89  - Anxiety Due to a General Medical Condition;
                      - Substance Induced Anxiety Disorder;


     In order to maximize the John Doe's rehabilitative potential, the initial
 diagnostic impressions about him should be carefully scrutinized and  closely
 monitored throughout the entire treatment process, allowing for  appropriate
 changes in diagnostic framework when they become clinically  indicated and
 necessary.

     At times, it is possible that a diagnostic uncertainty may exist and it
 may be difficult to make a final diagnosis. Only partial information may be
 presented by the patient, or the disorder may be early in its course and may
 not yet have revealed its nature. It is also possible that a patient may
 present a mixed symptom picture that does not fit any specific diagnosis.

     In cases where clinical evidence exists favoring a particular diagnosis,
 such syndrome can be identified as the provisional diagnosis. If a mixed
 syndrome persists, or if symptoms do not satisfy the criteria for a specific
 diagnosis but an anxiety disorder should be identified, a diagnosis of
 anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) should be considered.

     Clinicians should be reminded that these initial diagnostic impressions
 are based on the findings of a single psychometric instrument. Should a
 diagnostic discrepancy, or a contradiction, exist between any single measure
 and the complete spectrum of the assessment process, the final diagnostic
 impressions about John Doe should be formulated based on the results of the
 total assessment battery, rather than an individual test.
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998



                       COGNITIVE SPECTRUM OF SYMPTOMS

     The level and magnitude of affective symptoms presented by John Doe
 indicate that a possibility exists that some cognitive disturbances may also
 be present. Consistent with Beck's theory about the role of cognitive
 distortions in depressive and anxiety disorders, it is clinically advisable
 that John Doe be further assessed for the following symptomatology:

   ____ impaired attention                ____ poor concentration
   ____ forgetfulness                     ____ errors in judgment
   ____ preoccupation                     ____ blocking of thoughts
   ____ decreased perceptual field        ____ reduced creativity
   ____ diminished productivity           ____ confusion
   ____ hypervigilance                    ____ self-consciousness
   ____ loss of objectivity               ____ fear of losing control
   ____ frightening visual images         ____ fear of injury or death
   ____ objects seem distant and blurry   ____ environment seems different
   ____ feelings of unreality             ____ self-consciousness
   ____ confusion                         ____ inability to control thinking
   ____ distractibility                   ____ blocking
   ____ difficulty in reasoning           ____ loss of perspective
   ____ cognitive distortion              ____ fear of inability to cope
   ____ fear of mental disorder           ____ frightening visual images
   ____ fear of negative evaluation       ____ repetitive fearful ideation

     Positive findings of cognitive pathology should be further examined for
 history and duration, and a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation may
 be required if the symptoms exceed the levels typical for this score, or if
 John Doe manifests below average treatment responsiveness, or a negative
 treatment reaction.

 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998



                      SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TREATMENT

     When considering treatment options and approaches for John Doe, it is
 significant to also consider conditions under which his  rehabilitative
 efforts and possibility of effective recovery shall be  maximized.

     In view of the high quantity of the symptoms reported by John Doe, and
 possible limitations of this instrument, further assessment is strongly
 recommended and it should include a thorough consideration of the severity
 and chronicity of his current disorder, systemic distribution of  symptoms,
 extent, degree and length of past and present dysfunctionality,  and
 quantity, type, and severity of clinical impairments experienced by  him.

     John Doe's previous health record, appropriateness and frequency of
 utilization of health care resources, adherence and compliance with
 treatment, and success or failure of the previous episodes of care will
 provide useful information based on which confirmation of necessity, and
 predictions about success or failure of his treatment can be made.              
                                                                                 
     Among additional factors which need to be considered are John Doe's         
 understanding of need for professional assessment and acceptance and            
 compliance with complexity of such assessment, manifested by him  during this   
 initial phase of clinical interaction with the professional  staff.             
                                                                                 
     Further assessment should include his understanding and  acceptance of      
 rationale for proposed treatment, his willingness to  participate in and        
 adhere to treatment regimen(s), understanding of risks,  benefits and           
 alternatives to treatment, and specifically, his ability  to rationally weigh   
 and communicate above considerations.                                           
                                                                                 
     If John Doe has been previously treated for same or similar emotional and   
  psychological problems, documentable rehabilitative progress in previous       
 episodes of care are of great significance in predicting the outcomes of        
 current, and possibly future treatment efforts.                                 
                                                                                 
     John Doe' participation in formulation, assessment and implementation of
 his treatment goals should be given special attention. Of detrimental
 importance will be his ability for and honesty of disclosure during the         
 entire treatment continuum, realistic self-appraisal which is not in gross      
 excess of assessed disturbance(s), and a development of realistic, measurable   
 criteria of goal assessment. John Doe's anticipation of treatment  success      
 should be another factor to be considered in the assessment of  his             
 susceptibility to treatment and his rehabilitative  potential.                  
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998

                          TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS

     Level and intensity of clinical symptoms reported by John Doe indicate
 that treatment for his disorder should definitely be required, and an
 appropriate treatment approach developed and implemented as soon as possible.
 It is frequently the case that patients who are experiencing similar levels
 of disturbances do not spontaneously improve and recover without a
 comprehensive treatment intervention, and a longitudinal adherence to the
 treatment regimen.

     Treatment approach for John Doe's level of anxiety could be varied and a
 number of approaches may work equally well. Typically the most effective
 treatment will be an approach which incorporates both psychological and
 psychopharmacologic approaches. Medications, while usually helpful in
 treating the bodily symptoms of acute anxiety (e.g., panic attacks), are best
 used for this disorder as a short-term treatment only (a few months).

     Psychotherapy should be oriented toward combating John Doe's low-level,
 ever-present anxiety. Such anxiety may often be accompanied by poor planning
 skills, high stress levels, and difficulty in relaxing. Relaxation skills can
 be taught either alone or with the use of biofeedback. Education about
 relaxation and simple relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, are
 excellent places to begin therapy. While biofeedback is beneficial, it is not
 required for effective relaxation to be taught to most people. Progressive
 muscle relaxation and more general imagery techniques can be used as therapy
 progresses. Teaching him how to relax, and the ability to do it in  any place
 or situation is vital to reducing his low-level anxiety levels.

     From the onset of therapy, John Doe should be encouraged to set a regular
 schedule to practice relaxation skills learned in session, at least twice a
 day for a minimum of 20 minutes (although more often and for longer periods
 of time is better). Reducing stress and increasing overall coping skills may
 also be beneficial in helping him find a better balance in his life between
 self-enrichment, family, significant others, and work.

     Individual therapy is usually the recommended treatment modality. Many
 times people who present this level of anxiety, like John Doe, feel a bit
 awkward discussing their anxiety in front of others, especially if they are
 less than accepting. A clear distinction should be made at the onset of the
 evaluation to differentiate his type of anxiety disorder from social phobia,
 however, and the appropriate diagnosis should be made.

     The minor tranquilizers or  anxiolytics are excellent means of treating
 anxiety symptoms. However, they do not appear to block the actual process of
 panic attacks. Second, certain of the tricyclic antidepressants have been
 used in some patients, often in doses well below those used for the Affective
 Disorders.

     In addition, insight psychotherapy should be considered for those
 patients who fulfill the criteria for this form of treatment; with the acute,
 disabling symptoms under pharmacological control, such patients may be helped
 to resolve the psychological conflicts that frequently play a significant
 role in producing the surface symptoms.

     In the last 25 years, medications have been found to be fairly
 successful in the treatment of OCD. First was the tricyclic antidepressant
 clomipramine. This has been followed by several of the newer SSRI class
 anti-depressants that act selectively on the re-uptake of serotonin, a
 neurotransmitter. In the last few years, neuro-imaging studies have begun to
 disclose the underlying pathophysiology of OCD. The area of the brain that
 functions abnormally is directly next to those areas that relate to tick
 disorders such as Tourette's Syndrome and to Attention Deficit Disorder.


Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998

     It now seems that variable amounts of disfunction produce clinical
 symptoms that may be virtually all in one of these areas, or may be
 overlapping. Many people with ADD also have ticks, as do many people with
 OCD. Most unexpected is the finding that children who have Rheumatic Fever
 and develop Sydinham's Chorea have a significantly increased risk of OCD.
 Therefore treatment with antibiotics early in an infectious illness may
 reduce the chances of future obsessive thinking.

     The likelihood for John Doe of developing PTSD may increase as the
 intensity of and physical proximity to the stressor increase. There may be
 increased risk of Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia,  Obsessive-Compulsive
 Disorder, Social Phobia, Specific Phobia, Major  Depressive Disorder,
 Somatization Disorder, and Substance-Related  Disorders.

     The minor tranquilizers have a particularly important place in the
 treatment of the anxiety disorders. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam
 (Valium) are both effective aids to the patient in his struggle with the
 phobic situation if they are taken in sufficient doses to produce a
 relaxation of tension and musculature. However, they do not appear to block
 the actual process of panic attacks.

     The following treatment recommendations are made for patients either in
 inpatient or outpatient treatment. Their intent is not to replace clinical
 approaches which may be in progress at the time this profile is being
 generated, but to further promote individualization of treatment planning
 and patient's participation in own recovery process. Additionally, they can
 be utilized as guidelines of continuous monitoring and evaluation of the
 therapeutic process, for the mutual benefit of both the patient and the
 clinical staff rendering treatment.

     - Provide recreational and diversionary activities such as swimming,
       jogging, walking, running errands, simple tasks and repetitive
       activities.

     - Promote sleep with comfort measures (warm bath, music, back rub and
       quiet presence of a significant person).

     - Assist patient in relaxing with relaxation exercises and deep
       breathing and in reducing hyperventilation.

     - If patient is a victim of rape, assault, abuse, or molestation, refer
       to appropriate professional person if you are unable to help patient
       deal with the anxiety.

     - Treat physical complaints matter-of-factly.

     - Help patient refrain from dwelling on physical complaints through
       distractions such as music or physical activity.

     - Help patient identify threat causing anxiety.

     - Identify duration of stress.

     - Provide feedback on behavior that indicates anxiety.

     - Identify behaviors that indicate that anxiety is mounting such as
       restlessness, pacing, tenseness, or irritability.

     - Refrain from false reassurance.

 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998

     - Be aware of responses to patient's anxiety; helplessness, anger,
       demands and repetitive questions.

     - Refrain from making demands on or requiring decisions from patient.

     - Discuss what relieves patient's anxiety.

     - Initiate problem solving when anxiety is lessened.

     - Focus on present situation that is producing anxiety.

     - Assist patient in identifying sources of frustration, unmet needs and
       conflicts that cause anxiety.

     - Help patient identify consequences of maladaptive coping with anxiety.

     - Help client assess threats as realistic or distorted.

     - Give specific information on all tests, procedures and expectations.

     - Motivate patient to assume responsibility for lessening anxiety by
       involving client in decisions about care and treatment.

     - Explore secondary gains patients may be receiving from others through
       their anxious behavior.

     - If patient is unemployed or relocated because of anxiety problems,
       refer to a social worker for services.

     - Identify patient's support system.

     - Discuss cultural and religious influences and implications for
       anxiety-producing situations (divorce, abortion, out-of-wedlock
       pregnancy, rape, incest, mental illness and mercy killing).

     - Recognize early stages of anxiety and introduce methods of prevention
       of escalation, loss of control, and communication to other patients.

     - With patient's cooperation, identify coping techniques and behaviors
       which are adaptive vs. maladaptive ones.

     - Observe whether patient manifests avoidance behaviors when confronted
       with anxiety producing stimuli. Patient should be helped in
       recognizing, identifying, and reinforcing those behaviors which are
       helpful in reducing anxiety and are not maladaptive.

     - Assist the patient in identification of different levels of his/her
       own anxiety. Such process of identification can be helpful in
       establishing a more realistic perspective from which an evaluation of
       a stressor can be made.

     - Explore with the patient level(s) of anxiety which the patient can
       tolerate without engaging in self-defeating behaviors, inefficient
       coping, and possible sense of loss of control, and the extent of
       patient's awareness of such thresholds.

     - Analyze with the patient situations which are stressful to him/her,
       and focus on possible discrepancies between patient's perception of
       such situations and actual events and circumstances.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998




                     ASSESSMENT OF TREATMENT OUTCOMES

 Upon completion of John Doe's treatment, an objective assessment of the
 would be appropriate, based on which prediction for his
 permanent recovery can be made.

     The following components of such assessment should be included:

      ___ reduction in morbidity;                                                
      ___ reduction in comorbidity;                                              
      ___ reinstated and stable homeostatic functioning;                         
      ___ stability and control over remaining symptomatology;                   
      ___ reduction of diagnostic complexity;                                    
      ___ stability of average rate of recovery;                                 
      ___ attainment of majority of treatment goals;                             
      ___ transformation of long term treatment goals to personal goals;         
                                                                                 
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998



             CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF PROGNOSIS FOR RECOVERY

     Realistic prognosis about the extent and course of John Doe's successful
 recovery should be based on an assessment of a number of factors inherent in
 the rehabilitative process.

     First, it is important to determine whether his primary  symptomatology
 has stabilized after the initiation of treatment, and whether  there was
 reduction in acuity, severity, and its occurrence, as well as  reoccurrence.
 Second, the same factors should be assessed in relationship to  any secondary
 symptomatology which may have been reported by the patient.

     Additionally, John Doe's movement along the therapeutic continuum should
 be carefully monitored, continually reassessed, documented, and, if so
 required, adjusted in such a way that the therapeutic efforts by both the
 clinical staff and the patient are maximized, as well as the effects of
 treatment.

     A set or realistic and measurable criteria should be established based
 on which his progress should be evaluated. Objective appraisal of the  extent
 of John Doe's disorder, clinical impairments, his rehabilitative  potential,
 availability and efficacy of the resources at his disposal, and  attainable
 goals of recovery will be the essential components of his  lasting recovery.

     During th course of John Doe's treatment, the following issues should       
 also  be carefully assessed and monitored:                                      
                                                                                 
      ___ Completion of treatment goals within specified time frames;            
      ___ Temporal stability of rate of positive therapeutic change;             
      ___ Awareness of therapeutic progress and positive change(s);              
      ___ Continuing and realistic self-reassessment of treatment goals;         
      ___ Continuing and realistic self-reassessment of treatment progress;      
      ___ Acceptance of responsibilities inherent in the role of recovery;       
      ___ Self-initiated regulation of health behaviors;                         
      ___ Discontinuation of potentially adverse self-medication practice(s);    
      ___ Discontinuation of substance abuse for any reason;                     
      ___ Self-awareness of constitutional vulnerabilities
      ___ Significant reduction in number of critical impairments;               
      ___ Realistic assessment of potential for retraumatization;                
      ___ Development of successful coping mechanisms:                           
      ___ Identification and utilization of external resources for recovery;     
      ___ Significant reduction in range of rehabilitative limitations;          
      ___ Significant reduction in impairments for future achievements;          
      ___ Increase in major areas of psychosocial functioning;
      ___ Self-initiated reinstatement of economic stability;                    
      ___ Emergence of identifiable milieu of support systems;                   
                                                                                 
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998



             FEEDBACK TO THE PATIENT AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SELF-HELP

     The following are some suggestions to John Doe for self-management of
 anxiety and stress.

     Stress is the "wear and tear" which your body experiences as you adjust
 to your continually changing environment. It has physical and emotional
 effects on you and consequently creates positive or negative feelings. As a
 positive influence, stress can help compel you to action; it can result in a
 new awareness and an exciting new perspective.

     When you are adjusting to different circumstances, stress will help or
 hinder you depending on how you react to it.

     As a negative influence, it can often result in feelings of distrust,
 rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems
 such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood
 pressure, heart disease, and stroke. With the death of a loved one, the birth
 of a child, a job promotion, or a new relationship, we experience stress as
 we re-adjust your lives.

     Positive stress adds anticipation and excitement to life, and we all
 thrive under a certain amount of stress. Numerous deadlines, competitions,
 confrontations, and even your frustrations and sorrows add depth and
 enrichment to your lives. Your goal is not to eliminate stress but to learn
 how to manage it and how to use it to help you.

     There is no single level of stress that is optimal for all people. We are
 all individual creatures with unique requirements. As such, what is
 distressing to one may be a joy to another. And even when we agree that a
 particular event is distressing, we are likely to differ in your
 physiological and psychological responses to it.

     It has been found that most illness is related to unrelieved stress. If
 you are experiencing stress symptoms, you have gone beyond your optimal
 stress level; you need to reduce the stress in your life and/or improve your
 ability to manage it.

     Perhaps there are times when you wander how can you manage stress more
 effectively. Identifying unrelieved stress and being aware of its effect on
 your life is not sufficient for reducing its harmful effects. Just as there
 are many sources of stress, there are many possibilities for its management.
 However, all require effort toward change: changing the source of stress
 and/or changing your reaction to it.

    - Become aware of your stressors and your emotional and physical
      reactions. Notice your distress. Don't ignore it. Don't gloss over your
      problems. Determine what events distress you. What are you telling
      yourself about meaning of these events?

    - Determine how your body responds to the stress. Do you become nervous
      or physically upset? If so, in what specific ways?

    - Recognize what you can change. Can you change your stressors by
      avoiding or eliminating them completely? Can you reduce their intensity
      (manage them over a period of time instead of on a daily or weekly
      basis)?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Patient: John Doe                                                    09/01/1998


    - Can you shorten your exposure to stress (take a break, leave the
      physical premises)? Can you devote the time and energy necessary to
      making a change (goal setting, time management techniques, and delayed
      gratification strategies may be helpful here)?

    - Reduce the intensity of your emotional reactions to stress. The stress
      reaction is triggered by your perception of danger...physical danger
      and/or emotional danger. Are you viewing your stressors in exaggerated
      terms and/or taking a difficult situation and making it a disaster?

    - Are you expecting to please everyone? Are you overreacting and viewing
      things as absolutely critical and urgent? Do you feel you must always
      prevail in every situation? Work at adopting more moderate views. Try
      to see the stress as something you can cope with rather than something
      that overpowers you.

    - Try to temper your excess emotions. Put the situation in perspective.
      Do not labor on the negative aspects and the "what if's."

    - Learn to moderate your physical reactions to stress. Slow, deep
      breathing will bring your heart rate and respiration back to normal.
      Relaxation techniques can reduce muscle tension.

    - Build your physical reserves. Exercise for cardiovascular fitness three
      to four times a week (moderate, prolonged rhythmic exercise is best,
      such as walking, swimming, cycling, or jogging). Eat well-balanced,
      nutritious meals.

    - Maintain your ideal weight. Avoid nicotine, excessive caffeine, and
      other stimulants. Mix leisure with work. Take breaks and get away when
      you can. Get enough sleep. Be as consistent with your sleep schedule as
      possible.

    - Maintain your emotional reserves. Develop some mutually supportive
      friendships/relationships. Pursue realistic goals which are meaningful
      to you, rather than goals others have for you that you do not share.

    - Expect some frustrations, failures, and sorrows. Always be kind and
      gentle with yourself - be a friend to yourself!