Patient History: A 7-year-old girl presents with a poor track record of school attendance. Her mother struggles to get her to school because the girl is constantly tearful. Her mother reports that her daughter has always been a somewhat anxious and sensitive child. When she was a toddler she used to get very upset if her mother was not constantly with her. It was so difficult that her mother gave up her job and became a nursery assistant to ensure the girl went to the nursery.
She had hoped things would improve as her daughter got older but in fact, things are now worse than ever. Mental state examination: The girl is reluctant to talk with you or join you in playing with the toys in your room. She sits almost on top of her mother clinging to her. The mere suggestion that she might be seen alone elicits floods of tears and she is almost inconsolable. When she is persuaded by her mother…
