Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

Which diagnosis should a social worker consider when an adolescent exhibits poor academic performance and troubling behavioral patterns?

1. Substance Abuse

2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder

3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

4. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The correct answer is: Substance Abuse

When an adolescent is displaying poor academic performance and troubling behavioral patterns, it's essential to consider the diagnosis that best explains a combination of these symptoms. Substance abuse can significantly impact an adolescent's ability to function academically and socially. Engaging in substance use can lead to a decline in motivation, cognitive impairment, and changes in behavior that contribute to both academic struggles and problematic behaviors. Substance abuse often manifests in ways that may mimic or exacerbate other issues, leading to difficulties in school as well as conflicts with authority figures, peers, and family. This can create a cycle where poor academic performance and behavioral issues feed into one another. While other diagnoses, like Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can also lead to similar symptoms, the presence of substance use tends to have a more immediate and direct effect on both academic performance and behavior, warranting particular attention to substance abuse in this context.