A woman experiencing anxiety and nausea at the sight of needles is most likely diagnosed with which condition?

The woman’s symptoms of anxiety and nausea specifically triggered by the sight of needles indicate a strong and disproportionate fear related to a particular object or situation, in this case, needles. This aligns with the characteristics of a specific phobia, which involves intense fear or anxiety in relation to a specific object or situation, leading to avoidance behavior.

Specific phobias are defined as a marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation that is out of proportion to the actual danger posed, and they can cause significant distress and impairment in functioning. In this scenario, the fear of needles would fit the criteria of a specific phobia, as the woman demonstrates an extreme reaction when confronted with that specific stimulus.

In contrast, other options like agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder encompass broader fear responses or anxiety that do not isolate a singular object or situation. Agoraphobia involves anxiety in situations where escape might be difficult, generalized anxiety disorder encompasses a wider range of anxiety across multiple topics, and panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks rather than fearing a specific object. The focused nature of her fear around needles reinforces that a diagnosis of specific phobia is the most appropriate.