Vincent James is an eighteen-year-old Caucasian male who has been referred to me because of reported social anxiety. Vincent is single, recently graduated from high school, and is living with his grandmother. He does not have a job, or a driver’s license, and is concerned about his future, as he wants to transition into adulthood, but cannot bring himself to do the things that he wants to do, in order to have the things he wants. Vincent’s parents are divorced, and living on opposite sides of the United States.
Vincent recognizes that he needs to strike out on his own, but is terrified of the prospect of having to interact with the public in order to achieve those ends. He lived with his father for his last year of high school, and moved in …show more content…
He spends his time locked in his room, watching television or playing video games. He states that he has little to no concern when texting or chatting with new people, nor does calling and speaking to new people, depending on the purpose of the phone call. In some instances, he avoids making calls when he may be seen as stupid, or in a bad light. When he moved in with his father for a year, his plan had been to re-invent himself, alter his appearance by cutting his hair, delete all his former social media, and begin work immediately. None of that transpired during that year, …show more content…
The distinction between the two, is that with social communication disorder, the individual has never experienced success with social communication; with social anxiety disorder the communication skills developed correctly, but are not being employed because of fear, anxiety, or distress (APA, 2013). Also, among males with social anxiety disorder, they may live at home longer; and it is said to affect young adults more often than older individuals (APA, 2013). Based on this information, it becomes evident that Vincent is suffering from social anxiety disorder. He has the fear of being scrutinized, and receiving negative evaluation from others. His fear is disproportionate to any actual threat posed by these social
Vincent recognizes that he needs to strike out on his own, but is terrified of the prospect of having to interact with the public in order to achieve those ends. He lived with his father for his last year of high school, and moved in …show more content…
He spends his time locked in his room, watching television or playing video games. He states that he has little to no concern when texting or chatting with new people, nor does calling and speaking to new people, depending on the purpose of the phone call. In some instances, he avoids making calls when he may be seen as stupid, or in a bad light. When he moved in with his father for a year, his plan had been to re-invent himself, alter his appearance by cutting his hair, delete all his former social media, and begin work immediately. None of that transpired during that year, …show more content…
The distinction between the two, is that with social communication disorder, the individual has never experienced success with social communication; with social anxiety disorder the communication skills developed correctly, but are not being employed because of fear, anxiety, or distress (APA, 2013). Also, among males with social anxiety disorder, they may live at home longer; and it is said to affect young adults more often than older individuals (APA, 2013). Based on this information, it becomes evident that Vincent is suffering from social anxiety disorder. He has the fear of being scrutinized, and receiving negative evaluation from others. His fear is disproportionate to any actual threat posed by these social