Three cases of overlap between panic disorder, social phobia, and agoraphobia

Abstract

Panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social phobia are subtypes of the anxiety disorders as defined by DSM-III. Panic disorder and agoraphobia are thought to be closely related, whereas social phobia is considered to be distinct on the basis of demographic characteristics, course, symptoms, biological responsiveness, and treatment specificity. Three cases are presented in which these classificatory distinctions are blurred and the course of the illness seems to involve temporally overlapping manifestations of panic attacks, social phobia, and agoraphobia. Diagnostic and treatment issues and implications for research are discussed.