Fear of everything (panphobia)

Rather than one clear trigger such as spiders or heights, panphobia describes a vague, constant fear that does not attach to anything in particular. A person may feel on edge most of the day, as though something bad could happen at any moment. Because ongoing anxiety like this can wear you down, it is worth talking to a GP about how you have been feeling.

About this phobia

The term joins the Greek pan, meaning all, with phobia. It is not a clinical diagnosis and is mainly found on lists of phobias or in older writing. What it describes is often closer to generalised anxiety, where worry spreads across many areas of life rather than one specific trigger.

What it feels like

• A background sense of dread that is hard to explain or pin down
• Feeling tense, jumpy or drained from being on alert all day
• Worry hopping from one topic to the next without settling

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

Common questions

Is panphobia a real condition?

Panphobia is not a recognised diagnosis, but the feeling it describes is very real for those who live with it. Constant, free-floating fear often fits better with generalised anxiety, which a GP can assess. Getting a proper check is a useful first step before choosing any kind of support.

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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