A 45-year-old woman reports severe anxiety and panic-like symptoms when she is in crowded places, open spaces, or public transportation. She has started avoiding these situations entirely, often staying home for weeks at a time, fearing that she might have a panic attack and be unable to escape or get help. Her symptoms are not limited to social situations. This clinical picture is most consistent with a diagnosis of:

Explanation

The patient's fear and avoidance of specific situations (crowded places, open spaces, public transportation) due to a fear of having panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating/embarrassing symptoms, and being unable to escape or get help, are the hallmark features of Agoraphobia. While panic attacks can occur, the *fear of situations* where escape might be difficult or help unavailable is central to agoraphobia, not just the panic attacks themselves (which would be Panic Disorder if recurrent and unexpected). Social Anxiety Disorder (Option A) involves fear of social situations due to fear of negative evaluation. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Option D) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various events or activities, not specific situations of escape/help.