Coping with grim news from genetic tests.

Clinicians need to recognize and respond to stress response syndromes that may occur after patients have received genetic testing for inherited susceptibility to serious diseases. For patients whose test results convey high risk, increased attention to prevention, surveillance, and early medical treatment may be possible, but the grim news may also lead to a formation of symptoms ranging from extreme denial to unwelcomed intrusive ideas and feelings. Genetic counseling alone may be insufficient for some people, and evaluation and psychotherapy for stress response syndromes may be indicated for them.