Q When I go to crowded places I suddenly feel short of breath and want to run away. Is this social phobia or panic disorder?
A It could be either, or both. The core of social phobia is fear of others' judgment, while the core of panic disorder is fear of the attack itself. A professional differential diagnosis is needed.
Detailed Answer
Social phobia and panic disorder look similar but their core fears differ. Social phobia is avoiding crowded situations out of fear that "others might think I'm strange," while panic disorder is avoiding the same places out of fear of the attack itself, thinking "what if another panic attack comes." However, the two often occur together. If your heart pounds, you feel short of breath, and you want to flee in crowded places, both can be suspected, and an accurate distinction requires a professional consultation.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, heart-gallbladder deficiency is a core pattern that overlaps in both conditions. To calm panic attacks we base treatment on the Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Bupleurum, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell) family of formulas, and for persistent anxiety on the Jiawei Xiaoyao San (modified Free and Easy Wanderer) family; when both occur together, we design a combined prescription.
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