[Stress-related syndromes--contemporary illnesses]

There are many indications that distress within the family as well as at work are strong predictors for developing stress-related disorders. The relatively new diagnoses burnout, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome probably represent different ways of reacting to an overwhelming situation. The boundary between these diseases, on the one hand, and depression, heart disease or infarction on the other is often diffuse, and the new diagnoses may well delineate preliminary stages of more serious diseases such as angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. There is evidence that also other causes of death may be related to stress. These circumstances reflect not only considerable suffering on the part of individuals, but also a substantial economic burden for society.