Is this the first time she's ever really been challenged? She may just not know what to do if something isn't easy for her.
Also, it's not at all unusual for perfectionists to give up rather than to risk failure. Perhaps this is what's up? If she doesn't really try, then she can't get it wrong and then feel stupid. If your whole self-concept is centered around never being wrong, then being challenged is not just a little uncomfortable, it's a threat to your entire self-image!
Regardless, as a recovering perfectionist who hates to be wrong and has a hard time if something doesn't come easily, I'd say she needs this challenge! Or one like it. And the sooner, the better!
How do you plan to handle the situation?
