Fear of mercury medicines (hydrargyophobia)

Hydrargyophobia is an old term for a fear of medicines containing mercury. Mercury was once used in a number of treatments, and worry about its effects was understandable. Today the word may be borrowed for wider worries about mercury in medicines or dental fillings, and any real concern about a medicine or a symptom is best checked with a GP or pharmacist.

About this phobia

The name comes from hydrargyrum, the old Latin name for mercury, which is also where its chemical symbol Hg comes from. It is an archaic term from a time when mercury-based treatments were more common, and it is rarely used now. Modern fears in this area tend to sit under health anxiety or a fear of medicines, known as pharmacophobia.

What it feels like

• Reading ingredient lists closely for any sign of mercury
• Putting off dental work or treatment out of worry
• Strong anxiety about being harmed by a medicine

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

Common questions

Do medicines today still contain mercury?

Many of the mercury-based treatments used in the past are no longer in use. If you are worried about what is in a medicine or a filling, a pharmacist, dentist or GP can explain it. Any real symptoms are always worth checking with a GP rather than living with the worry.

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.

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