Ryan, a psychiatrist, has recommended that his patient, who suffers from generalized anxiety, stop the use of antianxiety drugs. After two weeks, the patient complains that her anxiety symptoms have become worse. Ryan tells the patient that her feelings are an expected response to stopping antianxiety medication. What is the patient experiencing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing rebound anxiety, which is a common and expected reaction to stopping antianxiety medication. It occurs when the body and brain have become accustomed to the effects of the medication and then suddenly withdraws from it. This can lead to an increase in anxiety symptoms, often worse than before the medication was started. Addiction is a dependence on a substance or behavior, which is not necessarily the case here. Tolerance refers to the body's decreased response to a drug over time, and illness anxiety disorder is a condition where a person has persistent anxiety about having or developing a serious illness despite medical reassurance.

Ryan, a Psychiatrist, Has Recommended That His Patient, Who Suffers