Agoraphobia and social phobia are far in public settings. These two disorders are closely related which makes it hard to make out a distinction between them.
Agoraphobia can be termed as a fear of being in a crowded place or open space. Social phobia can be termed as a fear of facing the society; a fear that is characterized by excessive shyness in social situations.
One of the main differences between the two phobias is in the nature of the fear that person’s experience.
Persons having social phobia are afraid of the settings involving crowds or groups of people. Social phobia involves the fear of interacting in a society. People suffering from social phobia are very much shy to face the society and they are content with going alone.
On the other hand, Agoraphobia is the fear of public or open spaces, in the company or absence of other people. People having agoraphobia conditions try to avoid crowds or situations where they fear having a panic attack and getting embarrassed. Unlike people with social phobia, people having agoraphobia are afraid of walking alone in a secluded place and this is because of the fear of not getting any help if some panic situation arises.
A long hallway, a crowded building and exposed place are very disturbing to persons having agoraphobia issues. These persons feel like being in an unfamiliar territory. Once these persons return to the familiar territory, they get relieved from their situation.
Persons with social phobia fear of being criticized by others. They feel that people will make fun of them. It is the fear of being a made a fool in front of others that makes them hurting.
Summary
1. Persons having social phobia are afraid of the settings involving crowds or groups of people. Social phobia involves the fear of interacting in a society.
2. Agoraphobia is the fear of public or open spaces, in the company or absence of other people. People having agoraphobia conditions try to avoid crowds or situations where they fear having a panic attack and getting embarrassed.
3. Unlike people with social phobia, people having agoraphobia are afraid of walking alone in a secluded place and this is because of the fear of not getting any help if some panic situation arises.
4. Persons with social phobia fear of being criticized by others. They feel that people will make fun of them.