Denzel is nine years old. He has to present his school project to the entire fourth grade. He complains to his parents that he does not want to participate. His parents feel he does not want to be embarrassed. Denzel has a diagnosis of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Denzel's reluctance to present in front of his classmates suggests social anxiety or social phobia. He may fear being embarrassed or judged negatively by his peers, which is a common symptom of social phobia. Separation anxiety disorder involves excessive fear or anxiety when separated from a person that provides comfort or security, but there is no indication that this is Denzel's problem. Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry and anxiety about various life events and situations, but there is no indication that Denzel's anxiety is generalized. A specific phobia involves an intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation or activity that is out of proportion to the actual danger posed, but there is no indication that Denzel has a fear of anything specific.

Denzel Is Nine Years Old