Fear of being beaten or criticised (rhabdophobia)

Rhabdophobia is listed as a fear of being beaten with a rod, and also as a fear of being harshly criticised. In everyday life it can look like flinching at raised voices, dreading feedback at work, or bracing for punishment that never comes. Where the fear grows out of past mistreatment, a GP or a specialist counsellor can offer support.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Greek rhabdos, meaning rod or staff. It is a rare term found mainly on phobia lists, and the two meanings given for it are quite different. The criticism side overlaps with fear of rejection and social anxiety, while the physical side may connect with earlier frightening experiences.

What it feels like

• Feeling small, tense or frozen when someone in authority is displeased
• Over-preparing or apologising to head off any chance of criticism
• Startling at sudden movements or raised voices

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

Common questions

Is rhabdophobia linked to how someone was treated as a child?

It can be for some people, though not always. A fear of punishment or criticism sometimes starts with harsh experiences early on, and sometimes builds later through work or relationships. If past experiences still feel raw, speaking to a GP or a specialist counsellor is a gentle place to start.

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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