William walks up 20 flights of stairs rather than taking the elevator because he is afraid he cannot escape if the elevator stalls. Which is the MOST appropriate classification for William's behavior?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing. William's fear of being stuck in an elevator fits this definition, and his avoidance of it by taking the stairs instead is a typical behavior of agoraphobia. The other options do not fit his symptoms as well - generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive and persistent worrying about a variety of things, panic disorder involves sudden and recurrent panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder involves fear and avoidance of social situations.

William Walks Up 20 Flights of Stairs Rather Than Taking