ABSTRACT
Behavior which communicates personal suffering is a traditional concern of psy chiatry. When the patient experiences un bearable pain in the form of anxiety or despair he seeks relief. He comes to the physician with a spirit of cooperation hope fully expectant that his suffering will be alleviated. The role of the psychiatrist in this situation is relatively clear. A tradition of 2500 years provides a model which de fines the limits and potentialities of medical involvement.
