.It beats me why so many modern physicians find it so hard to discuss normal emotional responses with their patients.

I can't understand why they think that a psychologist has better tools than they do to understand and support their patients.

Would they refer their patients to a hematologist because they have anemia as a result of blood loss during surgery? Would they refer them to a cardiologist because they have a rapid heart beat as a result of blood loss? No, they wouldn't. They would see this as a normal physiological response to a bodily insult. So, why not do the same when their patient has a normal emotional response? Why create this dichotomy that doesn't exist between the body and the mind?

The way to deal with your normal anxiety is to give you the reassurance you need, that someone will be there to recognize things and do what is required on time. The only one that can give you this reassurance is your physician.

I think (and there as also studies that show this) that talking about your anxiety with a counselor (who obviously can't give you the true reassurance that you need) is many times counterproductive and leads to a much longer emotional recovery.

Our emotions are a means of communication with the people around us, and not something meant to be discussed and analyzed. When we are sad and cry, it is a sign for our community that we need to be cuddled a bit.
There is an excellent book, which seriously discusses those issues- http://www.powells.com/review/2008_02_14.html

I am not saying that there is never a place for psychologists or psychiatrists. I am just saying that not every episode of normal sadness or anxiety requires such interventions. And that such interventions, like any, can many times cause more harm than good. Because, once you go to a counselor it already means that you have a problem, when in fact you don't.

It's just like hospitalizing you and giving you intravenous antibiotics for a common cold!