LMSW Practice Test

A client diagnosed with a character disorder begins to realize certain behaviors are no longer acceptable. The client then becomes depressed, experiences loss of appetite and has trouble sleeping. The social worker would see these symptoms as

1. an exacerbation of the client's problem

2. an indication of progress

3. the client becoming aware that the worker is not interested in offering treatment

4. the result of the worker's misinterpretation of the client's psychodynamic functioning

The correct answer is: an exacerbation of the client's problem

The client’s realization that certain behaviors are no longer acceptable—an indication of self-awareness—can often lead to emotional distress, including symptoms like depression, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms are a natural response when individuals confront aspects of themselves that they may not have acknowledged previously. Recognizing problematic behaviors is a critical step in the process of change, yet it can also trigger discomfort and emotional turmoil due to the internal conflict and guilt associated with those realizations. Therefore, experiencing these symptoms aligns with an exacerbation of the client’s existing issues, as they grapple with the consequences of changing long-standing behaviors and begin to confront their character disorder. This response highlights the complexity of the therapeutic process and underscores that progress may come with temporary setbacks, such as heightened emotional distress. In this context, the social worker would view these symptoms as part of the client's growth and development, even though they represent a challenging phase, rather than a straightforward exacerbation of their original problems.