A 13-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Office Due to Anxiety

question 50

Multiple Choice

A 13-year-old boy is brought to the office due to anxiety and behavioral problems at school.  Although he has good grades, he frequently feels overwhelmed at school and his mother worries that he is socially awkward and has no friends.  The patient often appears anxious and uncomfortable in new social situations.  He insists on sitting in the same row and seat in every class and has had several inappropriate outbursts when told by teachers that this was not possible.  After school, the patient prefers to spend time at home.  His mother observes that he is obsessed with dates and comparing solar and lunar calendars and can discuss this for hours, but has difficulty shifting to other topics of conversation.  The patient was born at full term, and developmental milestones were within normal range.  Physical examination is unremarkable.  Which of the following is the most likely explanation of this patient's behavior?

• A)Autism spectrum disorder
• B)Obsessive compulsive disorder
• C)Obsessive compulsive personality disorder
• D)Schizoid personality disorder
• E)Separation anxiety disorder
• F)Social anxiety disorder

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Definitions:

Lifelong Employment

A traditional employment concept where an individual works for a single employer for the majority of their career, less common in modern economies.

Job Security

the assurance that an individual will retain their job without the risk of becoming unemployed due to layoffs or business closures.

Productivity

A measure of the efficiency of a person, machine, system, or process in converting inputs into useful outputs.

Self-Actualization

The act of fulfilling one's innate abilities and potentials, recognized as a fundamental motivation or desire in every person.