Which disorder involves intense fear and avoidance of social situations due to fear of being judged?

• A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• B. Panic Disorder
• C. Social Anxiety Disorder
• D. Agoraphobia

Answer: (C)

Intense fear of social situations because of worry about being judged is the hallmark of Social Anxiety Disorder. This condition leads to avoidance or extreme distress in social settings, driven by a fear of negative evaluation by others. The focus is on how others might scrutinize or embarrass you, which differentiates it from fears that are panic-related or broad and non-specific. Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves persistent worry across many areas, not confined to social performance. Panic Disorder centers on recurrent panic attacks and fear of having more, rather than fear of social scrutiny. Agoraphobia is about fear of places or situations where one might feel trapped or unable to escape, often in the context of panic symptoms, not specifically about being judged in social interactions. So, the best choice is the one that centers on social evaluation concerns and avoidance in social contexts.