Both sound similar in a lot of ways.
Thanks for all the helpfull replies.
It looks like isuffer from both conditions then.
They’re not the same thing. Agoraphobia is usually associated with panic disorder and is not a fear of people, but a fear of being outside the home or in certain types of spaces. It almost always comes about from the experience of having panic attacks in unfamiliar environments. Agoraphobics are afraid of these panic attacks and think they can prevent them by avoiding certain places. Gradually this can become a fear of leaving the house.
Severe social phobics may become very hermit-like but this is usually for a different reason – they fear being seen or having to interact with people. (Agoraphobics usually are comforted by being around people). It’s also unusual for social phobics to be unable to leave the house altogether. But even in that case, the severe social phobic will have no problem leaving the home if they feel they don’t have to worry about interaction or being seen (e.g. at night, or to go for a drive, whatever).
Edit: That’s not to say that you can’t have both disorders, or have symptoms of both disorders.
Their is some overlap and comminality. Social phobia is more directed to people themselves and ones fear of being judged by them or embarrassing themselve in front of them or being too nervous to function around the people. Agoraphobia is a combination of those same feelings about people and the being uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings or big open areas particularly ones filled with people. The added aspect that makes it agoraphobia is ones fear about the dynamic of the surroundings and feeling trapped in a place they don’t want to be. Agoraphobics are known to not leave their house much. They can be afraid of simply being outside.
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they are similar. many people believe that social anxiety over a long period of time can become agoraphobia.
References :
They’re not the same thing. Agoraphobia is usually associated with panic disorder and is not a fear of people, but a fear of being outside the home or in certain types of spaces. It almost always comes about from the experience of having panic attacks in unfamiliar environments. Agoraphobics are afraid of these panic attacks and think they can prevent them by avoiding certain places. Gradually this can become a fear of leaving the house.
Severe social phobics may become very hermit-like but this is usually for a different reason – they fear being seen or having to interact with people. (Agoraphobics usually are comforted by being around people). It’s also unusual for social phobics to be unable to leave the house altogether. But even in that case, the severe social phobic will have no problem leaving the home if they feel they don’t have to worry about interaction or being seen (e.g. at night, or to go for a drive, whatever).
Edit: That’s not to say that you can’t have both disorders, or have symptoms of both disorders.
References :