The Difference Between Panic Disorder and Social Anxiety

Although, as I mentioned on another page, we often use the phrases anxiety attack and panic attack interchangeably. That't fine, but there is a difference between panic disorder and social anxiety that is worth knowing about. These two problems are very different.

We can use different words to describe the same thing but we have to be clear on how we’re using them.

The confusion comes up because many people with panic attacks feel vulnerable that one might come on anything. They become afraid they might have one while driving the car or in a crowd or someplace where it might be dangerous or embarrassing if they had one.

Because of this, they tend to stay close to home, in what they feel is their safe zone. But it’s not social situations they fear. It’s having a panic attack in an bad situation.

This is different than what psychologists call social anxiety. Someone with social anxiety is uneasy in any social situation. They may feel lonely, but their fear of social interaction prevents them partaking in social events.

Others usually see them as shy or introverted.

A difference is that social groups cause the distress in a person with social anxiety. Someone with panic disorder usually avoids groups because they don’t want to be stricken with an attack in front of others. Very often people with panic attacks are quite social.

One therapist I spoke with told me he noticed a tremendous difference in his group sessions with people suffering from social anxiety and those suffering from panic attacks.

He said the social anxiety groups were always a struggle the first few weeks. Socially anxious people find it difficult to engage with a therapist one on one and group therapy is just another social setting that triggers their anxiety.

As a result, they tend to be quiet and not engage for fear of drawing attention to themselves of doing something foolish. Over a few weeks, as the treatment works, things warm up.

People with panic attacks are different – he says those groups are high energy and engaging from the start. Members easily tell their story, often with a sense of humor. Fear of people isn’t the problem.

Another difference is that people with panic disorder are often concerned, or even convinced that they have a physical problem. People with social anxiety are more likely to view their problem as a mental health issue from the start.

So panic attacks, panic disorders and social anxiety are all sub categories of anxiety disorders. Social anxiety is distinct from the other two.

I hope I’ve clarified the differences here. My main point is that people using the word anxiety attack might be referring to a panic attack, or they may be using it to refer to the episode of anxiety someone with social anxiety feels when they’re in a group.

All of these disorders are treatable, and being clear about just what’s going on is the first step toward a good result.

Here's a great course to check out:

Panic Away