5 tips for talking about stress

Physicians are trained to think in terms of symptoms, says Citrin. “When you’re dealing with an issue like stress, an individual may experience [physical] symptoms,” he says. Symptoms such as trouble sleeping or more frequent headaches may be related to stress, for example.

Be prepared and make a list of symptoms and concerns for your doctor. Be specific, says Citrin. “Don’t just say ‘I’m stressed at work,’” he advises. “Be specific and say, ‘We’ve picked up a lot of new clients at work,’ or ‘My husband is travelling a lot,’ or ‘My wife is finishing her internship at medical school,’ so the provider can factor that in to what the concern is you’re having.”