Phobias Types Chronophobia Is Characterized by a Fear of Time 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 July 24, 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 July 24, 2020 Print Altrendo Images / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Prevalence Symptoms Treatments Prevention Chronophobia is characterized by the fear of the passage of time, usually, because people fear that their time on Earth is limited or have trouble tracking its passing. Even though time isn't fully concrete, some may consider it as a type of "specific phobia," similar to how one would fear a cat or snake. Prevalence of Chronophobia Some populations experience chronophobia, the fear of time, more than others. In fact, since it is so common in prison populations it is sometimes known as "prison neurosis." The elderly, as well as people facing terminal illnesses who worry that their time on Earth may be limited, may also face this fear. Time becomes their enemy, and they fear it because its passing will ultimately lead to their death. The fear of time also sometimes presents in the wake of severe trauma, such as a natural disaster, particularly if the daily routine is seriously disrupted. It is also relatively common among shipwreck survivors and others who are trapped in a high-anxiety situation with no familiar means of tracking the passage of time. In fact, a sense of a foreshortened future has previously been used as one of the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms Chronophobia is marked by a sense of derealization in which time seems to speed up or slow down. Some people develop circular thought patterns, racing thoughts, and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Prisoners often mark down the days until their release. Many victims will also experience panic, anxiety, and claustrophobia, which are common symptoms of most phobias as well as common reactions to trauma. Panic attacks, sweating, shortness of breath, and even persistently haunting thoughts are also often reported, but only in extreme cases. Treatments In extreme cases, untreated chronophobia can lead to isolation, depression, and even increasingly disordered thinking. It is important to seek advice from a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible. Chronophobia responds well to such standard phobia treatments as cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy. As it is closely linked with other disorders, however, it is best to diagnose and treat all concurrent conditions simultaneously. In some cases, psychiatrists may prescribe medications, but psychotherapy remains the primary treatment for phobias. Prevention of Chronophobia Since the fear of time is often caused by situations that cannot be fully controlled, like illness, it is difficult to prevent. More general anxiety and stress management techniques also exist. 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. Leer-Salvesen P. Fear of the Future and Theology of Hope. In: Bergmann S, editor. Eschatology as Imagining the End: Faith between Hope and Despair. Routledge. 2018:30-44. Naik KR, Mall A, Palace BH. The Problems of Prisoners: An Analysis. IJRAR. 2019;6(2):267-287. 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 Klochko Y. A person in a closed environment as a psychological problem. Psychology in Russia. 2013;6(4):143. doi:10.11621/pir.2013.0412 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. 2013.