Whenever John, a 10-year-old boy, is allowed to go outside to play with his peers, he becomes very anxious. He usually asks instead if he can stay inside to play alone. When he is unable to stay in, he begins to cry and complains of a stomach ache. What is the most likely diagnosis for John?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

John's fear and anxiety appear to be centered around social situations and interacting with peers, rather than being separated from a particular individual or location (A). There is no indication that John's anxiety is specifically related to attending school (B). While depression can cause anxiety symptoms, there is no evidence of low mood or other depressive symptoms in this scenario (C). Therefore, the most likely diagnosis for John is social anxiety disorder (D).

Whenever John, a 10-Year-Old Boy, Is Allowed to Go Outside