What is the difference between specific and social phobias?

Specific phobias are fears of specific objects or situations, while social phobias involve fear of social situations.

Specific phobias are a type of anxiety disorder that involves an intense fear or anxiety in response to a specific object or situation, such as heights, spiders, or flying. The fear is excessive and persistent, and can lead to avoidance of the feared object or situation. Specific phobias are relatively common, affecting around 12% of people at some point in their lives.

Social phobias, on the other hand, involve a fear of social situations or performance situations, such as public speaking or meeting new people. The fear is often related to being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others, and can lead to avoidance of social situations. Social phobias are also relatively common, affecting around 7% of people at some point in their lives.

While specific and social phobias are both types of anxiety disorders, they differ in terms of the object or situation that triggers the fear. Specific phobias are more focused on a particular object or situation, while social phobias involve fear of social situations more broadly. Treatment for both types of phobias typically involves exposure therapy, where the person gradually confronts their fears in a safe and controlled environment.