Fear of daylight (phengophobia)

Keeping curtains closed, planning outings for the evening and feeling uneasy when stepping into bright sun are all ways phengophobia, a fear of daylight, can show up. Some people feel noticeably calmer once it gets dark. If daylight causes eye pain, headaches or skin reactions, check those symptoms with a GP, as there may be a medical cause.

About this phobia

The word comes from the Greek phengos, meaning light or daylight. It is rarely reported and appears mostly on phobia lists, with little clinical writing on it. It is similar to heliophobia, the fear of the sun, and should not be confused with photophobia, which is a physical sensitivity to light.

What it feels like

• Unease or panic when going out into bright daylight
• Keeping blinds shut and staying indoors during the day
• Feeling more relaxed once evening comes

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

Common questions

Is fear of daylight the same as photophobia?

No. Photophobia is a physical sensitivity to light, often linked to migraines, eye conditions or other health problems. Phengophobia is an emotional fear of daylight itself. If light physically hurts your eyes, check this with a GP or optician.

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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