A patient's symptoms may arise from difficulties in his family life. Relationships between brothers and sisters play a special part in this respect, as do other factors related to personality development. It is one of the special tasks of the general practitioner to be alert to the first signs of emotional disturbance, for he is in an ideal position to intervene before more serious symptoms of illness appear.
It is also important to help resolve poor marital relationships, since the constant pressure of daily problems eventually may lead to a neurosis affecting an entire family. Through early psycho-hygienic care (Mental Health Education) a family can be helped to avoid these dangers.
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