You have advised a patient to discontinue use of antianxiety drugs. After two weeks, your patient calls to complain that his anxiety symptoms are now worse than before he started to take the drug. You tell the patient that his feelings are a predictable response to discontinuing antianxiety medication. In fact, he is experiencing what is called

Question

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Rebound anxiety is a common and predictable response to the discontinuation of antianxiety medication. It is characterized by the return or worsening of anxiety symptoms that were initially being treated by the medication. This is not the same as addiction or tolerance, which are related to the physical and psychological dependence on the medication, and not the discontinuation of it. Relapse refers to the return of symptoms after a period of remission or improvement.

You Have Advised a Patient to Discontinue Use of Antianxiety