On the surface, agoraphobia (AG) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) appear like different anxiety-based conditions. AG causes you to become afraid of an environment or situation 1. OCD causes you to obsess over or perform compulsive behaviors to settle intrusive or unwanted thoughts 2.
We’re not saying that healthcare providers frequently misdiagnose these conditions for each other. But, there is a lot of overlap in how symptoms manifest and present in people with anxiety disorders. AG and OCD are no different. These are some of their shared features.
They Both Cause Avoidance Behaviors
People with AG tend to avoid situations or environments where escape would be difficult, embarrassing, or help unavailable if they had panic-like symptoms 1. For some people, these environments include the mall, concerts, and even traveling on public transportation.
People with OCD do not avoid situations or environments because of perceived hopelessness. However, they may avoid because of an uncontrollable, irrational, or intrusive thought or fear 2. For instance, they may avoid public restrooms because of a fear of germs or public transportation because of a fear of something happening. It appears that the foundation of these behaviors is fear ⎯ bringing us to our next similarity.
They Are Rooted in Fear
People with AG fear situations and environments that would cause them to feel helpless, should they need help. People with OCD tend to experience irrational and uncontrollable fears. They may present with different (and sometimes unrelated) ritualistic behaviors as a solution to their fears.
They Come from a Need to Control
As you can see, both conditions appear to cause a need to control ⎯ things in the environment, outcomes (as with OCD). The need for control or perceived lack of control can drive their fear and behaviors.
They Are Manageable
If you have AG or OCD, the good news is that you can manage your condition ⎯ with the right supports, of course. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or talk therapy, is a therapeutic approach that mental health specialists frequently use to treat mental illnesses 3. With CBT, you learn to unlearn negative or faulty thought processes and behavior patterns that contribute to your distress or psychological symptoms for new and healthier ones.