I don't think it's stress we have to be concerned with. If there's some kind of underlying issue that needs to be confronted and she needs closure with it before she can move on to bigger and better things.

[He pauses, rubbing at his shoulder; toying with his ring with his thumb.]

If a wound isn't cleaned, it festers - even if it may close it doesn't heal. Infection and sickness rest under the surface taking hold inside under the skin.