A nurse observes a client discussing their fear of social situations. This may indicate which anxiety-related disorder?

The correct choice, social anxiety disorder, is characterized by an intense fear or anxiety in social situations where the individual is exposed to potential scrutiny or judgment by others. People with this disorder may experience excessive worry about being embarrassed or humiliated, which can lead to avoidance of social interactions altogether. Observing a client expressing fear specifically related to social environments aligns with the hallmark symptoms of social anxiety disorder.

In contrast, generalized anxiety disorder typically involves excessive worry about a variety of different issues and does not focus solely on social situations. Panic disorder is associated with recurrent panic attacks and a fear of experiencing them, which is distinct from the social fears seen in social anxiety disorder. Specific phobia refers to an intense fear of a particular object or situation, but again, it does not encompass the broader concerns regarding social interactions that characterize social anxiety disorder. This understanding reinforces why the identification of social anxiety disorder is fitting in this scenario.