Consultation and Training

TREM Questions and Answers

Q: A woman in our group takes several medications which are sedating. She sometimes nods off during group, which is frustrating and distracting for the other group members. When she is alert she contributes well to the group, and she has said she is finding the group helpful. What do you suggest we do?

A: Is she being overmedicated? If not, I recommend you speak with her individually about the problem. Ask her permission to bring up this issue with the group, so that the group members can help her problem-solve. Perhaps they will be able to suggest strategies for staying alert, even in the face of sedating medications. This type of problem-solving activity is one of the general goals in the TREM intervention.