Fear of good news (euphobia)

Euphobia is a fear of hearing good news. It can sound odd, but some people feel uneasy when things go well, bracing for something to go wrong or feeling they do not deserve it. A promotion, a positive result or a happy announcement may bring tension rather than relief.

About this phobia

The word joins the Greek eu, meaning good or well, with phobia. It is not a recognised clinical diagnosis and is mostly found on lists of unusual fears. A related idea that gets more attention is cherophobia, a fear or distrust of happiness itself.

What it feels like

• Waiting for the catch after any piece of good news
• Playing down or quickly moving past happy moments
• Feeling more anxious after a success than before it

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Why would anyone be afraid of good news?

Some people learn to expect that good times are followed by bad ones, so good news can feel like a warning rather than a gift. Others worry about the new expectations or pressure that may come with it. These patterns are understandable and worth talking through with someone you trust or a professional.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices