This is a very real syndrome and I am interested in how we as professionals can help clients through this often difficult time. Please offer your experiences, suggestions to alleviate the stress, etc.

Check out this article that talks about both the physical and psychological elements of this syndrome. Relocation Stress

The main thing is for anyone who is stressed after a move is to open their mouths and talk about it! Find a good ear, a helpful neighbor, an old friend, a pet, a phone call, but don't keep it inside. That ads to the stress. A brden shared is a burden lifted.

At the last NASMM conference, in New Orleans, there was a wonderful workshop addressing this issue. Giving clients an realistic idea of what it will be like, will help ease some of the fears. Letting them know what the people you have met that work there, are like, activities, and experiences that you are aware of, that others have had. I also leave a little note, after I complete a move, that says "I hope that this will come to feel like home, for you". (I used to write, welcome home, but it isn't home to them, right away). We are also very careful to unpack items to the same places that they were before. This is especially true for those "comfort areas". And finally, it is important to listen to the clients fears and let them know that you hear them without trying to talk them out of the fears.

Many times I receive calls from the adult child when they're "shopping" for services and say that their parent isn't even ready yet. In the conversation, I ask about how the parent feels about the upcoming move, or possibility of a move. I then tell them that SMMs can help get the downsizing and sorting process started well in advance of the pending move, thereby making the real move less stressful. It proivdes food for thought to the families on how to ease into the moving process.