Which personality disorder involves feelings of discomfort in social situations and typically presents with a desire for friendship but an inability to form them?

The correct answer is linked to the characteristics of Avoidant Personality Disorder. Individuals with this disorder often experience significant discomfort in social situations and actively desire social connections but find themselves unable to form or maintain relationships due to intense feelings of inadequacy, fear of rejection, and heightened sensitivity to negative evaluation.

Unlike Schizoid Personality Disorder, where individuals typically exhibit a lack of interest in forming personal relationships, the essence of Avoidant Personality Disorder includes a longing for connection alongside a paralyzing fear of social interactions. Schizotypal Personality Disorder includes unusual beliefs and behaviors and a discomfort in relations, but it doesn’t emphasize the desire for companionship paired with an inability to secure it in the same way that Avoidant does. Borderline Personality Disorder, on the other hand, involves instability in relationships and self-image but is characterized by a pattern of intense emotions and impulsive actions, rather than the pervasive fear and avoidance seen in Avoidant Personality Disorder.

This combination of factors makes Avoidant Personality Disorder the correct choice, as it specifically addresses both the desire for social interaction and the profound difficulties in achieving those interactions due to underlying anxiety and fear.