Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

A client who believes that all women on the subway are "after him" is likely exhibiting what type of mental health reaction?

1. Delusional disorder

2. A paranoid reaction

3. Social anxiety disorder

4. Paranoid personality disorder

The correct answer is: A paranoid reaction

The focus on the client's perception that "all women on the subway are 'after him'" illustrates a paranoid reaction, which is characterized by an intense and irrational mistrust or suspicion of others. This behavior tends to reflect a distorted interpretation of social situations, leading the individual to believe that they are being targeted or conspired against without any substantial evidence to support these beliefs. In the case of this client, the pervasive sense of being pursued or watched by women indicates a psychological response that aligns with paranoia, showcasing how their worldview is shaped by unfounded fears. This reaction can interfere with their ability to interact socially and may lead to avoidance behaviors or heightened distress in environments perceived as threatening. While the other options may encompass certain elements of anxiety or distorted thinking, they do not pinpoint the specific concern of pervasive and irrational beliefs about others' intentions that is central to paranoid reactions. Delusional disorder, for instance, involves fixed false beliefs but is broader in scope. Social anxiety disorder focuses more on fear of social interactions rather than the specific belief in being pursued. Paranoid personality disorder involves a more ingrained pattern of suspicion, but the immediate reaction described here aligns more closely with a situational paranoid response.