Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Chronophobiais a persistent, intense fear of time or of time passing. Sometimes it’s known simply as “time anxiety.”
People with chronophobia might be afraid that their time is running short or that they don’t have enough time to accomplish everything they need to do. They often feel distressed when thinking about the future or are preoccupied with watching the clock or calendar. They might feel soanxiouswhen thinking about time that they actively avoid social gatherings or milestone events to prevent apanic attack.
This article discusses the fear of time (chronophobia), including traits, symptoms, causes, and how to seek treatment when necessary.
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Understanding Chronophobia
Chronophobia is a marked, ongoing fear of time or the passage of time. It’s not a specific diagnosis in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”(DSM-5). Instead, chronophobia may be classified as aspecific phobiaunder the larger umbrella of anxiety disorders.
Someone with chronophobia might feel anxious at milestone events that remind them of the passing of time, such as weddings, anniversaries, or birthdays. They may have trouble meeting deadlines at school or work because they avoid checking times or dates. If their fear of time becomes especially extreme, they might even isolate themselves from others completely.
A person with an intense fear of time might also experiencederealization. This “out of body" sensation involves a feeling of detachment, a distorted sense of time, and a sense that the things and people around them aren’t “real.”
How Common Are Specific Phobias?Specific phobias, such as the fear of confined spaces (claustrophobia), or the fear of heights (acrophobia), are more common than you might think. Around 12.5% of adults in the United States will experience a specific phobia at some point in their lives.
How Common Are Specific Phobias?
Specific phobias, such as the fear of confined spaces (claustrophobia), or the fear of heights (acrophobia), are more common than you might think. Around 12.5% of adults in the United States will experience a specific phobia at some point in their lives.
List of Common and Unusual Phobias
Symptoms of Chronophobia
Because chronophobia is ananxiety disorder, many of its symptoms are the same as general symptoms of anxiety. These might include:
Someone’s fear of time might also cause more specific time-related symptoms, including:
Complications of Specific PhobiasSpecific phobias and other anxiety disorders often occur alongside other disorders or contribute to the development of problems such as:Substance use disorderMood disordersSocial isolationThus, it’s important to see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of chronophobia or any other specific phobia.
Complications of Specific Phobias
Specific phobias and other anxiety disorders often occur alongside other disorders or contribute to the development of problems such as:Substance use disorderMood disordersSocial isolationThus, it’s important to see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of chronophobia or any other specific phobia.
Specific phobias and other anxiety disorders often occur alongside other disorders or contribute to the development of problems such as:
Thus, it’s important to see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of chronophobia or any other specific phobia.
Causes of Chronophobia
While anyone can develop chronophobia, there are certain experiences and environmental factors that put someone more at risk of developing an intense fear of time. These are some of the potential causes of chronophobia:
What Is a Phobia?
If you suspect that you might have chronophobia, a qualified mental health provider will ask you about your time-related anxiety and how it interferes with your daily life. They will likely ask you about any pasttraumasin your life, the distress you feel when faced with the passage of time, and ways you avoid thinking about the past or future.
To be considered a specific phobia according to the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5, your fear of time must meet the following conditions:
Chronophobia is often linked to other mental health disorders, especiallypost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). PTSD is when someone is having a difficult time recovering after experiencing a deeply terrifying event. Your therapist might also evaluate you based on the diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions such as PTSD.
Chronophobia and Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderMany medical professionals believe that time anxiety and PTSD are closely linked. One 2014 study indicates that a “sense of foreshortened time”—the idea that someone has no future or that their life won’t follow the typical chronology of developing a career, relationships, and family—is a key symptom of trauma.
Chronophobia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Many medical professionals believe that time anxiety and PTSD are closely linked. One 2014 study indicates that a “sense of foreshortened time”—the idea that someone has no future or that their life won’t follow the typical chronology of developing a career, relationships, and family—is a key symptom of trauma.
How Is Phobia Diagnosed?
Treatment for chronophobia usually involves psychotherapy from a qualified mental health provider. These are the main forms of effective treatment for an intense fear of time:
What Is Talk Therapy?
In addition to mental health treatment, there are several other ways you can work to cope with your intense fear of time. Coping methods for chronophobia could include:
How to Overcome Any Phobia
Summary
Chronophobia is an intense, persistent fear of time or the passage of time. This fear is a type of anxiety disorder known as a specific phobia. People with chronophobia experience symptoms of panic and anxiety when faced with reminders of the passage of time. This sometimes leads them to develop avoidance behaviors, such as excluding themselves from social gatherings or milestone events.
Older people, as well as people who have faced traumas, serious terminal illness or natural disasters, or people with other mental health conditions, are more at risk of developing chronophobia. Effective treatments include psychotherapy and medication in some cases.
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11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.Naguy A, Moodliar-Rensburg S, Alamiri B.Coronaphobia and chronophobia - A psychiatric perspective.Asian J Psychiatr. 2020;51:102050. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102050National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Rogers AH, Wieman ST, Baker AW.Anxiety comorbidities: mood disorders, substance use disorders, and chronic medical illness.Clinical Handbook of Anxiety Disorders: From Theory to Practice. Springer; 2020:77-103. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30687-8_5Naik KR, Mall A, Palace BH.The problems of prisoners: an analysis.IJRAR. 2019;6(2):267-287.Penn Psychiatry.Specific phobias.Ratcliffe M, Ruddell M, Smith B.What is a “sense of foreshortened future?” A phenomenological study of trauma, trust, and time.Front Psychol.2014;5:1026. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01026Peristianto SV, Astuti K.Decreasing symptoms of specific phobias with cognitive behavior therapy.Malaysian Ment Health J. 2022;1(1):12-4. doi:10.26480/mmhj.01.2022.12.14National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Relaxation techniques: what you need to know.American Psychological Association.Mindfulness meditation: a research-proven way to reduce stress.Anxiety Canada.Guide for goal setting.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.Naguy A, Moodliar-Rensburg S, Alamiri B.Coronaphobia and chronophobia - A psychiatric perspective.Asian J Psychiatr. 2020;51:102050. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102050National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Rogers AH, Wieman ST, Baker AW.Anxiety comorbidities: mood disorders, substance use disorders, and chronic medical illness.Clinical Handbook of Anxiety Disorders: From Theory to Practice. Springer; 2020:77-103. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30687-8_5Naik KR, Mall A, Palace BH.The problems of prisoners: an analysis.IJRAR. 2019;6(2):267-287.Penn Psychiatry.Specific phobias.Ratcliffe M, Ruddell M, Smith B.What is a “sense of foreshortened future?” A phenomenological study of trauma, trust, and time.Front Psychol.2014;5:1026. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01026Peristianto SV, Astuti K.Decreasing symptoms of specific phobias with cognitive behavior therapy.Malaysian Ment Health J. 2022;1(1):12-4. doi:10.26480/mmhj.01.2022.12.14National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Relaxation techniques: what you need to know.American Psychological Association.Mindfulness meditation: a research-proven way to reduce stress.Anxiety Canada.Guide for goal setting.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.Naguy A, Moodliar-Rensburg S, Alamiri B.Coronaphobia and chronophobia - A psychiatric perspective.Asian J Psychiatr. 2020;51:102050. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102050National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Rogers AH, Wieman ST, Baker AW.Anxiety comorbidities: mood disorders, substance use disorders, and chronic medical illness.Clinical Handbook of Anxiety Disorders: From Theory to Practice. Springer; 2020:77-103. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30687-8_5Naik KR, Mall A, Palace BH.The problems of prisoners: an analysis.IJRAR. 2019;6(2):267-287.Penn Psychiatry.Specific phobias.Ratcliffe M, Ruddell M, Smith B.What is a “sense of foreshortened future?” A phenomenological study of trauma, trust, and time.Front Psychol.2014;5:1026. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01026Peristianto SV, Astuti K.Decreasing symptoms of specific phobias with cognitive behavior therapy.Malaysian Ment Health J. 2022;1(1):12-4. doi:10.26480/mmhj.01.2022.12.14National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Relaxation techniques: what you need to know.American Psychological Association.Mindfulness meditation: a research-proven way to reduce stress.Anxiety Canada.Guide for goal setting.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.
Naguy A, Moodliar-Rensburg S, Alamiri B.Coronaphobia and chronophobia - A psychiatric perspective.Asian J Psychiatr. 2020;51:102050. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102050
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.
Rogers AH, Wieman ST, Baker AW.Anxiety comorbidities: mood disorders, substance use disorders, and chronic medical illness.Clinical Handbook of Anxiety Disorders: From Theory to Practice. Springer; 2020:77-103. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30687-8_5
Naik KR, Mall A, Palace BH.The problems of prisoners: an analysis.IJRAR. 2019;6(2):267-287.
Penn Psychiatry.Specific phobias.
Ratcliffe M, Ruddell M, Smith B.What is a “sense of foreshortened future?” A phenomenological study of trauma, trust, and time.Front Psychol.2014;5:1026. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01026
Peristianto SV, Astuti K.Decreasing symptoms of specific phobias with cognitive behavior therapy.Malaysian Ment Health J. 2022;1(1):12-4. doi:10.26480/mmhj.01.2022.12.14
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Relaxation techniques: what you need to know.
American Psychological Association.Mindfulness meditation: a research-proven way to reduce stress.
Anxiety Canada.Guide for goal setting.
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