Autophobia (Fear of Being Alone): Why Your Brain Panics When No One's Around — and How Therapy Helps You Overcome It
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD. Last reviewed October 13, 2026. This content is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.
Quick Answer
Autophobia is an irrational, extreme fear of being alone, also called monophobia or isolophobia [1], often rooted in childhood experiences such as abandonment or loss of a parent [1]. It causes intense anxiety when alone, plus sweating, palpitations, nausea and trembling [1]. Exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help most people, and anti-anxiety drugs or beta-blockers may help temporarily [1].
What the research says
Exposure-based therapy is the best-supported psychological treatment for specific phobias. A meta-analysis of 33 randomized treatment studies found that exposure-based treatment produced large effects compared with no treatment and outperformed placebo conditions and alternative active psychotherapies. Treatment with real-life contact with the feared situation outperformed other forms of exposure right after treatment but not at follow-up, and more sessions predicted better outcomes. These trials covered specific phobias in general, not the fear of being alone specifically (Wolitzky-Taylor et al., Clinical Psychology Review, 2008) [7].
Exposure can be delivered in different ways and still work. A meta-analysis of 30 randomized trials (1,057 participants), 14 of them in specific phobias, found virtual reality exposure had a large effect compared with a waitlist (g = 0.90) and was not significantly different from real-life exposure (g = -0.07) (Carl et al., Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2019) [8].
Adding a drug to therapy did not improve results in a Cochrane review. In 21 trials (788 participants) of d-cycloserine added to cognitive and behavioral therapy for anxiety-related disorders, including specific phobia, responders did not differ from the placebo group (risk ratio 1.10, 95% CI 0.89-1.34). The authors noted the high efficacy of exposure-based therapies on their own, though the evidence was low quality (Ori et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015) [9].
What is autophobia (fear of being alone)?
Autophobia, also called monophobia, is an irrational, extreme fear of being alone [1]. People who have it experience this fear when they're by themselves.
But here's the twist: some people feel autophobia even when they're with others [1]. In these cases, the fear centers on worries about isolation. A person may feel alone in a crowd, worry about people leaving them, or dread having to go home and be alone. Some people also carry a fear of abandonment that stems from a traumatic childhood experience [1].
This fear is more than uncomfortable. It can affect your relationships, your social life, and your career [1].
There are several other terms for fear of being alone:
Term | Meaning |
Monophobia | Fear of being alone |
Eremophobia | Fear of being alone |
Isolophobia | Fear of isolation |
How is fear of being alone different from loneliness?
It's easy to confuse the two, but they're very different experiences.
When you're lonely, you feel unhappy or sad about the quantity or quality of the social connections in your life. When you have autophobia, you feel anxious or scared when you're alone, or when you simply think about being alone [1]. You feel this fear regardless of how many loved ones and friends are in your life.
In short: loneliness is sadness about your connections; autophobia is fear, even when the connections are there.
What is a phobia?
Phobias are a common type of anxiety disorder [1]. They cause you to become afraid of something that isn't truly harmful [1].
Autophobia falls into the category of a specific phobic disorder, meaning you're fearful of specific situations where you're alone [1].
How common is autophobia?
It's hard to know exactly how many people have a specific phobia like autophobia. Many people keep this fear to themselves, or don't recognize they have it. What we do know: about 1 in 10 American adults and 1 in 5 teenagers will deal with a specific phobia disorder at some point in their lives [1].
What raises your risk of developing autophobia?
Several factors make a specific phobic disorder more likely.
Risk factor | How it connects to autophobia |
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) | People with BPD have an intense fear of being rejected, abandoned, or alone. This mental disorder makes it difficult to regulate emotions, and the mood swings can be hard on relationships. |
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) | DPD causes you to feel incapable of taking care of yourself. You may be afraid to be alone because you feel helpless. |
Family history | Growing up with a parent or loved one who has a phobia or anxiety disorder may make you prone to the same, or different, worries. |
Sex | Specific phobic disorders affect more females than males. |
Genetics | A gene change may make certain people more prone to anxiety disorders and phobias. |
Other phobias | People with autophobia may have other phobias like agoraphobia, the fear of leaving your house unless someone is with you. |
Panic disorder | Someone with panic disorder may fear having a panic attack while they're alone and no one can help. |
What causes fear of being alone?
Phobias often start in childhood [1] [5]. Some people can trace their fear of being alone to a negative or traumatic experience [1].
Potential cause | What happened |
Abandonment | Being ignored, uncared for, or feeling abandoned. |
Loss during childhood | Divorce or loss of a parent during childhood. |
Separation in a crowd | Getting separated from a loved one in a crowd or other public setting. |
Emergency without help | Having a panic attack, injury, or another emergency, like a home break-in or mugging, without someone to help. |
Unwitnessed trauma | Witnessing a traumatic incident without someone to support you. |
What are the symptoms of autophobia?
People with specific phobic disorders like autophobia are usually aware that the fear isn't rational [1] [4]. Still, they're unable to control their physical reactions when they find themselves in certain situations [1].
Autophobia affects everyone differently. You may feel unsafe unless you're with other people. Being alone may bring on intense feelings of sadness, dread, or anxiety.
When the fear kicks in, the body reacts too:
Symptom | What it feels like |
Chills | A cold, shivery feeling |
Dizziness | Dizziness and lightheadedness |
Excessive sweating | Sweating more than usual (hyperhidrosis) |
Heart palpitations | A racing, pounding heart |
Nausea | Feeling sick to your stomach |
Shortness of breath | Feeling like you can't catch your breath (dyspnea) |
Trembling | Shaking or trembling |
Upset stomach | Indigestion or an upset stomach (dyspepsia) |
How is autophobia diagnosed?
Here's an important detail: autophobia (monophobia) isn't a recognized phobic disorder in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) [1]. Still, a mental health professional, like a psychologist, can diagnose phobias based on symptoms [1].
For a specific phobic disorder diagnosis, the following criteria apply:
Criterion | What it means |
Duration | Fear persists for at least six months. |
Intensity | Intense fear or anxiety when you're alone, despite knowing you aren't in danger. |
Onset | Immediate symptoms when you find yourself alone or think about being alone. |
Avoidance | Anxiety or fear causes you to avoid being alone. |
Impact | Extreme symptoms interfere with your ability to work and enjoy life. |
How is autophobia treated?
Exposure therapy successfully helps most people overcome specific phobic disorders [1] [3]. Your healthcare provider may also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) [1].
Both of these psychotherapy (talk therapy) methods focus on the same goals:
Therapy focus | What it involves |
Relaxation techniques | Deep breathing exercises and meditation to help you manage symptoms. |
Root cause | Examining the root cause of the fear. |
Thought reframing | Learning ways to counter negative thoughts about being alone so you gradually understand that being alone isn't scary or dangerous. |
Gradual exposure | Slowly getting used to being alone. You may start with a goal of being alone for 15 minutes every day, then lengthen that time as the weeks progress. |
Medication can play a supporting role too. Anti-anxiety medicines or blood pressure drugs like beta-blockers may help temporarily as you work to overcome the fear of being alone [1]. You might not need medications after you complete therapy [1].
What happens if autophobia goes untreated?
It isn't practical to expect someone to always be with you. Unmanaged autophobia can affect your self-esteem, career, relationships, and social life [1].
The behavioral patterns that develop can be damaging:
Autophobia also increases your risk for several other conditions [1]:
Increased risk | Condition |
Depression | A mood disorder involving persistent sadness and loss of interest. |
PTSD | Post-traumatic stress disorder after traumatic experiences. |
Substance use disorder | Problematic use of alcohol or drugs. |
When should I call my healthcare provider?
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider: What's causing this phobia? What's the best treatment for me? Should I try exposure therapy? How long will I need therapy? Can medications help? Should I watch for signs of complications?
Conclusion: phobias are treatable, and you don't have to live with this fear
Autophobia turns something ordinary, being alone, into something your brain treats as dangerous. It can show up even in a crowd, follow you through relationships, and quietly shape big life decisions. But the medical consensus is encouraging: this fear usually has traceable roots in childhood experiences, it's diagnosed through clear criteria, and exposure therapy successfully helps most people overcome specific phobic disorders [1]. Cognitive behavioral therapy adds another proven tool, and medications can offer temporary support while you build your new relationship with solitude.
Take action: If being alone feels like a threat, don't brush it off as just "not liking your own company." Talk to a mental health professional. Phobias are treatable, and you can learn to enjoy your own company again. Explore Rinnit.com's library of anxiety and mental health guides for more plain-language answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is autophobia? Autophobia is an irrational, extreme fear of being alone. It's also called monophobia, eremophobia, or isolophobia.
Is autophobia the same as loneliness? No. When you're lonely, you feel unhappy or sad about the quantity or quality of your social connections. With autophobia, you feel anxious or scared when alone, or just thinking about being alone, regardless of how many loved ones and friends are in your life.
Can I have autophobia even when I'm with people? Yes. Some people have autophobia even when they're with others. In these cases, the fear centers on isolation: feeling alone in a crowd, worrying people will leave them, or dreading going home to be alone.
How common is fear of being alone? It's hard to know exactly how many people have autophobia specifically, since many keep the fear private. But about 1 in 10 American adults and 1 in 5 teenagers will deal with a specific phobia disorder at some point in their lives.
What causes autophobia? Phobias often start in childhood and can trace back to traumatic experiences: being ignored or abandoned, divorce or loss of a parent, getting separated from a loved one in a crowd, or going through an emergency like a break-in or mugging with no one to help.
Who is at risk for autophobia? Risk factors include borderline personality disorder (BPD), dependent personality disorder (DPD), family history of phobias or anxiety disorders, being female (specific phobias affect more females than males), genetics, having other phobias like agoraphobia, and panic disorder.
What are the physical symptoms of autophobia? Symptoms may include chills, dizziness and lightheadedness, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), heart palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath (dyspnea), trembling or shaking, and upset stomach or indigestion (dyspepsia).
Do people with autophobia know their fear is irrational? Usually, yes. People with specific phobic disorders are typically aware the fear isn't rational, but they're unable to control their physical reactions in certain situations.
How is autophobia diagnosed? Autophobia itself isn't a recognized disorder in the DSM, but a mental health professional like a psychologist can diagnose a specific phobic disorder based on symptoms: fear lasting at least six months, intense anxiety despite knowing you aren't in danger, immediate symptom onset, avoidance of being alone, and interference with work and life.
How is autophobia treated? Exposure therapy successfully helps most people overcome specific phobic disorders, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another option. Both involve relaxation techniques, examining the root cause, countering negative thoughts, and gradually getting used to being alone.
What does exposure therapy for autophobia look like? You may start with a goal of being alone for 15 minutes every day, then lengthen that time as the weeks progress, slowly teaching your brain that being alone isn't dangerous.
Can medications help with autophobia? Anti-anxiety medicines or blood pressure drugs like beta-blockers may help temporarily as you work to overcome the fear. You might not need medications after completing therapy.
What happens if autophobia isn't treated? Untreated autophobia can affect your self-esteem, career, relationships, and social life. People may stay in unhealthy or abusive relationships to avoid being alone, demand that friends and family not leave, or obsessively check on partners. Untreated autophobia also raises the risk of depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder.
When should I call my healthcare provider? Call if you experience panic attacks, persistent anxiety that interferes with daily life or sleeping, or signs of depression or substance use problems.
Can I overcome a fear of being alone? Yes. Phobias are treatable and not something you need to live with. Exposure therapy and CBT can help you overcome this fear so you can enjoy your own company more.
Related Reading
Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatment & Complete Guide - The broader condition category autophobia belongs to.
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - One of the conditions that can feed fear of being alone.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Autophobia (Fear of Being Alone). Cleveland Clinic. Last updated March 22, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22578-autophobia-monophobia-fear-of-being-alone
American Psychological Association. What Is Exposure Therapy? American Psychological Association. Date created 2017. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy
Merck Manual Consumer Version. Specific Phobias. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Last updated August 2026. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and-stress-related-disorders/phobic-disorders-phobias
Barnhill JW. Specific Phobias. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Last updated April 2026. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and-trauma-and-stressor-related-disorders/specific-phobias
National Health Service. Phobias. NHS. Page last reviewed March 11, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/phobias/overview/
National Institute of Mental Health. Specific Phobia. National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/specific-phobia
Wolitzky-Taylor KB, et al. Psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobias: a meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2008;28(6):1021-37. PMID 18410984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2008.02.007
Carl E, et al. Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Anxiety Disord. 2019;61:27-36. PMID 30287083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.08.003
Ori R, et al. Augmentation of cognitive and behavioural therapies (CBT) with d-cycloserine for anxiety and related disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(5):CD007803. PMID 25957940. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007803.pub2
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis line.
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