A client who is receiving an anxiolytic medication is refusing to participate in group therapy The best teaching response is

A client who is receiving an anxiolytic medication is refusing to participate in group therapy The best teaching response is

• A. Group therapy is the treatment of choice for anxiety.
• B. Medications relieve symptoms, but do not change the source of the anxiety.
• C. You will need to attend only until the medication becomes effective.
• D. The medications will not work unless you participate in group therapy.

Answer: (B)

Medicines for anxiety are there to relieve symptoms, not to fix the underlying causes of why the anxiety started. By telling the client that the anxiolytic can reduce worry, tension, and physical symptoms but does not change the root source of the anxiety, you set realistic expectations and support a collaborative plan. This approach respects the patient’s autonomy and explains that medication can be effective on its own, while psychotherapy such as group therapy is an additional tool that can help develop coping strategies—it's not a prerequisite for the medication to work. Other statements overpromise therapy’s role or imply that medication won’t work without therapy, which isn’t accurate and can undermine trust.

Medicines for anxiety are there to relieve symptoms, not to fix the underlying causes of why the anxiety started. By telling the client that the anxiolytic can reduce worry, tension, and physical symptoms but does not change the root source of the anxiety, you set realistic expectations and support a collaborative plan. This approach respects the patient’s autonomy and explains that medication can be effective on its own, while psychotherapy such as group therapy is an additional tool that can help develop coping strategies—it's not a prerequisite for the medication to work. Other statements overpromise therapy’s role or imply that medication won’t work without therapy, which isn’t accurate and can undermine trust.