A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed an antidepressant for their phobia. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Specific Phobia is characterized by the active avoidance of certain situations or objects accompanied by intense fear or anxiety. Individuals with specific phobias tend to go to great lengths to avoid the feared stimulus due to the overwhelming distress it causes. This aligns with the behavior described in the question.

Choice B rationale:

Social Phobia involves the fear or avoidance of social situations due to the perceived threat of negative evaluation by others. It doesn't necessarily involve specific situations or objects like the client's behavior in the question.

Choice C rationale:

Agoraphobia involves the fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing incapacitating symptoms. This doesn't fully match the behavior described, as the client is not expressing fear related to difficulty escaping or lack of available help.

Choice D rationale:

Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks and the persistent worry about future attacks. While panic attacks can be triggered by specific phobias, the avoidance behavior and the focus on certain situations are more indicative of a specific phobia rather than Panic Disorder.

Choice A rationale:

This statement accurately captures the key features of phobias. Phobias involve intense, irrational fear reactions to specific objects or situations that persist over time. The fear is often excessive in relation to the actual threat posed by the phobic stimulus.

Choice B rationale:

The statement "Phobias can be caused by biological factors only" (choice B) is not accurate. While biological factors like genetics and brain chemistry can contribute to the development of phobias, they are not the sole cause. Psychological and environmental factors also play significant roles.

Choice C rationale:

The statement "Phobias can be diagnosed based on physical symptoms" (choice C) is incorrect. Phobias are diagnosed based on psychological symptoms, such as intense fear, avoidance behavior, and distress. Physical symptoms may accompany the fear response but are not the primary diagnostic criteria.

Choice D rationale:

The statement "Phobias can be managed with medication alone" (choice D) is not entirely accurate. While medication can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety associated with phobias, the most effective treatments often involve psychotherapy, particularly exposure therapy, to address the underlying fear response and promote lasting change.