Phobias Types Fear of Accidents or Dystychiphobia By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial process Lisa Fritscher Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on January 23, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD on January 23, 2020 Print Adam Gault / Getty Images Dystychiphobia is the excessive fear of having an accident. This phobia is often seen in a person who has been in a serious or near-fatal accident in the past. In some cases, the phobia can be triggered by losing someone close as a result of an accident. This fear encompasses all forms of physical accidents, including those that occur in the home, the workplace, public spaces, and roadways. People with dystychiphobia generally worry about causing injury to themselves and to other people. Like all phobias, dystychiphobia varies widely from person to person. Some people are afraid only of industrial accidents, others of transportation-related crashes. Some feel only a mild case of nerves, while others are virtually paralyzed by their fear. The Difference Between a Phobia and Fear It doesn't mean you have dystychiphobia just because you fear getting into a car accident when driving in bad weather, have a fear that a plane experiencing excessive turbulence will crash, or simply are afraid of slipping on a wet floor. Those who experience severe forms of this phobia possess a constant fear that can inhibit their ability to fully live their lives. Dystychiphobia and Daily Life Life is inherently risky, and the threat of accidents is always present. Most people with mild dystychiphobia find a balance of risk with which they are comfortable. You might avoid jobs that you see as dangerous, such as firefighting or working with heavy machinery. You may prefer to drive before or after rush hour and stop for gas only during daylight hours. In many cases, these minor changes to the daily routine are sometimes sufficient to curb the fear. If your fear is more severe, however, you might find yourself significantly limiting your daily life. You might gradually begin to avoid more and more activities for fear of injuries. Over time, it might become difficult to function at home, school, or work. In these cases, professional assistance is always recommended. Symptoms Those who possess an excessive fear of having an accident will often exhibit some of the following symptoms: AnxietyBreathlessnessExcessive sweatingDry mouthShakingBeing overly cautiousHeart palpitationsInability to speakBecoming angryA feeling of detachment from reality Uncontrollable shakingFeelings of unsteadiness Treatment Therapy is recommended for anyone who thinks they may have dystychiphobia. Treatment is meant to teach individuals to do things that they have avoided in the past or possess a fear of doing. Anti-anxiety medications may also be used to treat those with dystychiphobia to help ease symptoms that may be limiting their lifestyle. Dystychiphobia treatments include: Hypnotherapy: Hypnosis is used to create subconscious change.Psychotherapy: Regular talk therapy sessions are held with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or another mental health provider.Neurolinguistic programming: This is a form of psychotherapy that examines neurological processes, language, and behavior patterns that are learned through experience. What Is the Fear of Driving and Do You Have It? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Garcia R. Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias. Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116 Choy Y, Fyer AJ, Lipsitz JD. Treatment of specific phobia in adults. Clin Psychol Rev. 2007;27(3):266-286. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2006.10.002 Additional Reading American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5 Task Force. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5™ (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. 2013.