What Is Chronophobia (Fear of Time)? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What is chronophobia?
Chronophobia is an extreme fear of time or the passage of time. [1] It causes anxiety, racing thoughts and obsessive behaviors such as counting down days, and in severe cases panic attacks and social isolation. [1] Treatment centers on talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy, plus relaxation techniques, and the outlook improves with treatment. [1]
Key takeaways
Chronophobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of time or the passage of time, often tied to fears about aging, mortality, or feeling out of control. [1]
It is classified as a specific phobia disorder. [1] Across all specific phobias, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates a lifetime prevalence of 12.5% in U.S. adults and 19.3% in adolescents. [3]
Risk is higher among the elderly and seriously ill, people in prison (sometimes called "prison neurosis"), and trauma survivors, including many people who developed the fear during the COVID-19 quarantine. [1]
There is no specific test and no medication that treats chronophobia itself, though medication may help with panic attacks or related conditions like depression. [1]
Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy, along with meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, can help people manage the fear and improve quality of life. [1]
What the research says
Exposure-based therapy is the best-supported treatment for specific phobias in general. A meta-analysis of 33 randomized treatment studies found that exposure-based treatment produced large effects compared with no treatment and outperformed both placebo conditions and other psychotherapies. In-person contact with the feared target beat other forms of exposure right after treatment but not at follow-up, and more sessions predicted better results. The studies covered phobias overall, not chronophobia specifically (Wolitzky-Taylor et al., Clin Psychol Rev, 2008). [5]
Newer delivery formats such as virtual reality exposure work about as well as standard exposure. A meta-analysis of 30 randomized trials with 1,057 participants (14 of them in specific phobias) found a large effect for virtual reality exposure therapy versus waitlist (g = 0.90) and no significant difference versus in-person exposure (g = -0.07). Larger trials tended to show smaller effects, and the trials covered anxiety and related disorders broadly (Carl et al., J Anxiety Disord, 2019). [6]
Chronophobia itself has almost no clinical research behind it. A PubMed search for "chronophobia" returned only two records as of October 2026: a short psychiatric commentary from 2020 and a survey of COVID-19 phobia among hospital staff. The 2020 commentary describes chronophobia, a dread of passing time, as a common experience for people in quarantine and as a fear of time typically described in prison neurosis (Naguy et al., Asian J Psychiatr, 2020). [4] Neither record tested a treatment, so the options below are drawn from research on specific phobias and anxiety disorders rather than from trials in people with chronophobia.
What Is Chronophobia?
Chronophobia is an extreme fear of time or the passage of time. [1] It is an anxiety disorder that causes intense discomfort or dread whenever a person thinks about time moving forward. The fear is often connected to worries about one's own mortality and the process of getting older. [1]
People with chronophobia may become obsessed with watching the clock or marking days off the calendar. [1] Some feel that time moves too slowly, while others feel time is moving too quickly and slipping away. [1] In serious cases, the condition produces racing thoughts, obsessive behaviors, panic attacks, and social isolation that can interfere with work and relationships. [1]
How Common Is Chronophobia?
Exact numbers are hard to pin down, partly because many people keep their fear of time to themselves. What is known is that chronophobia falls within the broader category of specific phobia disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 12.5% of U.S. adults (roughly 1 in 8) experience a specific phobia at some time in their lives, and an estimated 19.3% of adolescents (nearly 1 in 5) do. [3]
What Is a Phobia?
Phobias are fears of things that are not actually dangerous. They are illogical, unrealistic fears that produce unusual reactions to ordinary situations or objects. A person with a phobia typically has an extreme reaction to a certain object or situation and may go out of their way to avoid it. [2]
Chronophobia is a specific phobia disorder, meaning it is an extreme fear tied to one particular thing, in this case the passage of time. It is especially difficult to live with because time cannot be stopped or avoided. There is no escaping the passage of time, which leaves people with the phobia feeling out of control in a way that few other phobias create.
Who Is at Risk of Chronophobia?
Certain life situations and health histories raise the risk of developing this fear. The table below summarizes the main risk groups.
Risk factor | Why it raises the risk |
Being elderly or seriously ill | Terminal medical conditions and worry about nearing the end of life can lead to obsessing over the days left |
Being in prison | Long sentences can create a "prison neurosis" where inmates obsess over time passing, counting down days until release |
Surviving a traumatic experience | Natural disasters, near-death experiences, and other trauma can spark the fear; for some it is part of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
Having a history of mental illness | Generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks or panic disorder, other phobias, depression, and substance abuse disorder increase the risk |
Family history | Mental illness, mood disorders, and phobias tend to run in families, so having an affected relative raises the risk |
Many cases appeared after the COVID-19 quarantine, when people obsessed with tracking time or felt they had no control over how time was passing. [1]
What Causes Chronophobia?
Like most phobias, chronophobia is believed to stem from a mix of environmental factors and genetics. Situations such as incarceration, terminal illness, or surviving a trauma can lead to the fear. [1] Existing anxiety problems and mental illness also raise the risk, and because mood disorders and phobias tend to run in families, people with an affected relative face a higher chance of developing the condition. [1]
What Triggers Chronophobia?
Milestones commonly set off the fear. Holidays, birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries can spark concerns about the lack of control over time passing, one's own mortality, or the sense that time feels "immense" or overwhelming. The extreme fear of death that sometimes accompanies this is known as thanatophobia. [1] Some people also feel that time is moving too slowly, which produces its own distress.
What Are the Symptoms of Chronophobia?
Some people with chronophobia feel detached from their own body, a sense associated with depersonalization/derealization disorder. [1] Others feel like time speeds up or slows down randomly. Physical anxiety symptoms typically accompany these feelings. [1]
Symptom | What it feels like |
Chills | Feeling cold and shivery during anxious moments |
Dizziness and lightheadedness | Feeling unsteady or like the room is spinning |
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) | Sweating beyond what the situation calls for |
Heart palpitations | A racing, pounding, or fluttering heartbeat |
Nausea | An upset, queasy stomach |
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) | Difficulty catching your breath |
Trembling or shaking | Uncontrollable shaking of the hands or body |
Upset stomach or indigestion (dyspepsia) | Burning or churning in the stomach |
How Is Chronophobia Diagnosed?
There is no specific test for chronophobia. [1] A healthcare provider performs a mental health evaluation, asking about symptoms, mental health history, and other phobias. [1] The provider may refer the person to a mental health professional who specializes in phobias and anxiety disorders.
How Is Chronophobia Treated?
There is no medication that treats chronophobia itself, though some medications can help control panic attacks or treat related mental health conditions such as depression. [1] Talk therapy is the main treatment, and several approaches can help people understand their fear and gain control over their reactions. [1]
Treatment | How it helps |
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) | The main treatment; helps people understand their fears and work to overcome them |
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) | Teaches people to think about the phobia differently and gain control over their responses |
Hypnotherapy | Helps reframe concerns and manage fear while in a calm, deeply relaxed state |
Meditation and yoga | Practices that help control anxiety through mindfulness and breathing exercises |
Can Chronophobia Cause Complications?
Left untreated, chronophobia can severely affect everyday life. People may develop relationship problems, struggle to be part of their community, and experience worsening mental health. Severe cases can leave a person extremely depressed, anxious, and isolated. [1]
What Is the Outlook?
The outlook depends on each person's situation and health history. Therapy can help people manage the fear and improve their quality of life, though some people may need ongoing therapy or several different types of treatment to find what works best. [1]
When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?
It is normal to worry about the passage of time or your own mortality occasionally. You should talk to a healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe, and call right away if anxiety, obsessive behaviors, or panic attacks are affecting your everyday life. [1] Be open and honest with providers about your symptoms, and share information about other phobias, mood disorders, or mental illness in your family.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
To understand this disorder, consider asking:
What could be causing my symptoms?
What type of therapy or treatment is right for me?
What experience do you have with psychotherapy, CBT and hypnotherapy?
What relaxation techniques can I do on my own to control my anxiety?
Does chronophobia increase my chances of developing other anxiety disorders or mental illness?
Conclusion
Chronophobia is the extreme fear of time or the passage of time, an anxiety disorder that turns an experience everyone shares into a source of dread. It can tie together fears about aging, mortality, and the loss of control, and it often appears after trauma, serious illness, or long periods of confinement. While no medication treats the phobia itself, psychotherapy, CBT, hypnotherapy, and relaxation practices give people real ways to regain control and improve their quality of life. If anxiety about time is affecting your everyday life, reaching out to a healthcare provider is an important first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chronophobia?
Chronophobia is an extreme fear of time or the passage of time. It is an anxiety disorder that causes intense discomfort or dread when thinking about time passing.
Is chronophobia a real condition?
Yes. It is a recognized specific phobia disorder, a type of anxiety disorder that produces extreme reactions to a particular object or situation.
How do you pronounce chronophobia?
It is pronounced kron-uh-FOH-bee-uh, from the Greek word for time (chronos) combined with the word for fear (phobia).
What does chronophobia feel like?
People describe intense dread or discomfort when thinking about time moving forward, worries about aging and mortality, and sometimes the feeling that time is moving too slowly or too quickly.
Is chronophobia the fear of time passing?
Yes. The fear centers specifically on the passage of time and what that passage represents, including aging and mortality.
What is the clinical name for fear of time?
The clinical name is chronophobia, and it is classified as a specific phobia disorder.
Is fear of time a phobia?
Yes. Fear of time is chronophobia, a specific phobia disorder, because the fear is irrational, intense, and focused on one particular thing.
How do I know if I have chronophobia?
Signs include intense dread about time passing, worries about mortality, obsessive clock-watching or calendar-tracking, racing thoughts, and in severe cases panic attacks or social isolation. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose it.
What is it called when you are scared of time?
Being scared of time is called chronophobia.
Why am I so afraid of time?
The fear usually stems from a mix of environmental factors and genetics, and it often connects to worries about aging, mortality, or feeling out of control. Life situations such as terminal illness, incarceration, or trauma can trigger it.
What is a phobia?
A phobia is a fear of something that is not actually dangerous. Phobias are illogical, unrealistic fears that produce unusual reactions.
What is a specific phobia disorder?
A specific phobia disorder is a condition in which a person has an extreme reaction to a certain object or situation and may go out of their way to avoid it.
Is chronophobia a specific phobia?
Yes. Chronophobia is a specific phobia disorder because the fear is tied to one particular thing, the passage of time.
Why is chronophobia so hard to deal with?
It is especially difficult because the passage of time cannot be stopped or avoided, so people with the phobia feel out of control in a way that few other phobias create.
Can you avoid your fear of time?
No. Because time always keeps passing, there is no way to avoid the trigger, which is why treatment focuses on changing how the person responds to the fear.
How common is chronophobia?
Exact numbers are unknown because many people keep the fear to themselves. For specific phobias overall, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 12.5% of U.S. adults (roughly 1 in 8) experience one at some time in their lives.
How common are specific phobias in teenagers?
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 19.3% of U.S. adolescents aged 13 to 18, nearly 1 in 5, have had a specific phobia.
Do people keep chronophobia secret?
Often, yes. Many people keep their fear to themselves, which is one reason exact numbers are hard to know.
Does chronophobia affect more women or men?
There are no figures for chronophobia specifically. For specific phobias overall, the National Institute of Mental Health reports past-year prevalence of 12.2% in women and 5.8% in men among U.S. adults.
Can children have chronophobia?
Specific phobias affect teenagers at notable rates, so it can occur in young people, though the main risk groups described for chronophobia are the elderly, the seriously ill, the incarcerated, and trauma survivors.
Why do elderly or ill people develop chronophobia?
Terminal medical conditions and worry about nearing the end of life can lead to obsessing over the days left, which fuels the fear.
What is "prison neurosis"?
It is a term describing how some inmates, especially those with long sentences, become obsessed with the passage of time, feel time moves too slowly or too quickly, and count down the days until release.
Can being in prison cause chronophobia?
Yes. Incarceration is a known risk factor, and some inmates also feel claustrophobic along with their obsession with time.
Can trauma cause chronophobia?
Yes. Natural disasters, near-death experiences, and other traumatic events can spark the fear, and for some people it is part of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Did COVID-19 quarantine cause chronophobia?
Many cases appeared after the COVID-19 quarantine, when people obsessed with tracking time or felt they had no control over how time was passing.
Does chronophobia run in families?
Mental illness, mood disorders, and phobias tend to run in families, so having a relative with these conditions raises the risk.
What causes chronophobia?
Like most phobias, it is believed to stem from a mix of environmental factors and genetics, with situations such as incarceration, terminal illness, or trauma acting as triggers.
Does anxiety increase the risk of chronophobia?
Yes. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks or panic disorder, other phobias, depression, and substance abuse disorder all increase the risk.
What triggers chronophobia symptoms?
Milestones commonly set off the fear, including holidays, birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries.
Do birthdays trigger chronophobia?
Yes. Birthdays are a common trigger because they mark the passage of time and can spark concerns about aging.
Can anniversaries trigger the fear of time?
Yes. Anniversaries mark the passage of time and can bring worries about mortality and loss of control to the surface.
What is thanatophobia?
Thanatophobia is the extreme fear of death, which sometimes accompanies chronophobia since fears about mortality are closely tied to fears about time passing.
Do people with chronophobia feel time moving strangely?
Yes. Some feel like time speeds up or slows down randomly.
What is depersonalization/derealization disorder?
It is a condition in which a person sometimes feels detached from their own body, a feeling that some people with chronophobia experience.
What are the physical symptoms of chronophobia?
Physical anxiety symptoms include chills, dizziness, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath, trembling, and upset stomach or indigestion.
Can chronophobia cause chills?
Yes. Chills are one of the physical anxiety symptoms associated with the condition.
Can chronophobia cause heart palpitations?
Yes. A racing, pounding, or fluttering heartbeat is a recognized symptom.
Does chronophobia cause shortness of breath?
Yes. Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is one of the physical anxiety symptoms.
Can chronophobia cause excessive sweating?
Yes. Excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, is a recognized symptom.
Does chronophobia cause trembling?
Yes. Trembling or shaking is one of the physical anxiety symptoms.
Can chronophobia cause nausea?
Yes. Nausea and upset stomach or indigestion (dyspepsia) are both recognized symptoms.
Can chronophobia cause dizziness?
Yes. Dizziness and lightheadedness are recognized physical symptoms.
Can chronophobia cause panic attacks?
Yes. In serious cases, the condition can produce panic attacks along with severe anxiety and obsessive behaviors.
Can chronophobia cause isolation?
Yes. Severe cases can lead to social isolation and problems with work or relationships.
How is chronophobia diagnosed?
There is no specific test. A healthcare provider performs a mental health evaluation, asking about symptoms, mental health history, and other phobias, and may refer the person to a mental health professional.
Is there a test for chronophobia?
No. Diagnosis relies on a mental health evaluation rather than any specific test.
Who should I see for chronophobia?
A healthcare provider can start the evaluation, and may refer you to a mental health professional who specializes in phobias and anxiety disorders.
Can chronophobia be treated with medication?
There is no medication that treats chronophobia itself, though some medications can help control panic attacks or treat related conditions like depression.
What is the main treatment for chronophobia?
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is the main treatment. It helps people understand their fears and work to overcome them.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy for chronophobia?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people think about the phobia differently and gain control over their responses to it.
Can hypnotherapy help chronophobia?
Yes. Hypnotherapy can help people reframe their concerns and manage their fear while in a calm, deeply relaxed state.
Do meditation and yoga help chronophobia?
Yes. Meditation, yoga, mindfulness exercises, and breathing exercises can help control anxiety.
What relaxation techniques help the fear of time?
Mindfulness exercises and breathing exercises, often practiced through meditation and yoga, can help manage anxiety.
Can chronophobia be cured?
The outlook depends on each person's situation and health history, but therapy can help people manage the fear and improve quality of life, sometimes with ongoing or multiple types of treatment.
What happens if chronophobia goes untreated?
Untreated chronophobia can severely affect everyday life, causing relationship problems, difficulty being part of a community, and worsening mental health such as severe depression, anxiety, and isolation.
When should I see a doctor about fear of time?
Occasional worry about the passage of time or your own mortality is normal. You should talk to a provider if your symptoms are severe, and call right away if anxiety, obsessive behaviors, or panic attacks are affecting your everyday life.
What questions should I ask my doctor about chronophobia?
Useful questions include what could be causing your symptoms, what type of therapy is right for you, the provider's experience with psychotherapy, CBT and hypnotherapy, which relaxation techniques you can do on your own, and whether chronophobia increases your chances of developing other anxiety disorders.
Does chronophobia increase the risk of other mental illness?
It is one of the questions worth asking your doctor, since severe untreated phobias can worsen mental health and lead to depression and anxiety.
Can therapy improve quality of life with chronophobia?
Yes. Therapy can help people manage the fear and improve their quality of life, and some people may need ongoing therapy to maintain progress.
Is it normal to worry about time passing?
Yes. It is normal to worry about the passage of time or your own mortality occasionally. It becomes a concern when the fear is severe or interferes with everyday life.
Related Reading
Specific Phobias: Symptoms, Causes, and How Exposure Therapy Helps You Overcome Them
Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatment & Complete Guide
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Complete Guide
References
Cleveland Clinic. Chronophobia (Fear of Time). Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated March 22, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22579-chronophobia-fear-of-time
Barnhill JW. Specific Phobias. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Full review April 2026. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and-trauma-and-stressor-related-disorders/specific-phobias
National Institute of Mental Health. Specific Phobia. NIMH Statistics. Accessed October 30, 2026. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/specific-phobia
Naguy A, Moodliar-Rensburg S, Alamiri B. Coronaphobia and chronophobia: a psychiatric perspective. Asian J Psychiatr. 2020;51:102050. PMID: 32302963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102050
Wolitzky-Taylor KB, Horowitz JD, Powers MB, et al. Psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobias: a meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2008;28(6):1021-1037. PMID: 18410984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2008.02.007
Carl E, Stein AT, Levihn-Coon A, 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
Medical disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition or before making decisions about treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.
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