Here’s a partial list of why some thoughtful, articulate patients might be reluctant to mention symptoms to their doctors:

1. Respect for the doctor – when the patient feels what he’s experiencing isn’t worth taking up a physician’s time, what I’d call the “time-worthy” problem;

2. Guilt – when the patient feels she shouldn’t complain about anything relatively minor, because she’s lucky to be alive;

3. Worry – when patient’s anxious or afraid the symptoms are a sign of the condition worsening, and so