A 27-year-old married woman reports to the PMHNP that she is experiencing significant distress in her marriage because she "hates" going to social events, and her husband's job requires attending regular social gatherings. She avoids these activities because she is "terrified" she will do or say something embarrassing, and she has started pretending she has headaches to get out of going to them. Her husband doesn’t understand why she doesn’t want to go to these parties, which are typically small gatherings of less than 15 people. She admits that when she does go, they end up being "no big deal." The PMHNP will diagnose this woman with which of the following?

Choice A reason: Generalized anxiety disorder involves pervasive worry across multiple domains of life, rather than anxiety limited to social situations, making this diagnosis less accurate. Choice B reason: Agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or help may not be available, often leading to avoidance of open or crowded spaces. The patient’s anxiety is situation-specific to social interactions, not general environments. Choice C reason: Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of social situations due to potential embarrassment or negative evaluation. The patient’s avoidance of parties and fear of social embarrassment are classic features supporting this diagnosis. Choice D reason: Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and fear of future attacks. The patient’s anxiety is anticipatory and social in nature, without evidence of spontaneous panic attacks, making this diagnosis less appropriate.