Fear of hell (hadephobia)

Hadephobia is a fear of hell. It is usually tied to religious belief or upbringing, and can show up as lasting worry about what happens after death, fear of punishment, or trouble sleeping after sermons or images of hell. For some, the fear stays even after they have moved away from the faith they grew up with.

About this phobia

The name comes from Hades, the underworld of Greek myth. It is a rare term found mostly on lists, and is one of several fears with a religious theme, alongside fears of sin and of sacred things. Stygiophobia is another name sometimes given for the same fear.

What it feels like

• Recurring thoughts about punishment after death
• Anxiety triggered by religious images, sermons or talk of judgement
• Seeking reassurance that you are a good person or have been forgiven

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

Common questions

Can you be afraid of hell if you are no longer religious?

Yes, and it is more common than many people think. Beliefs learned early in life can leave strong emotional traces even after views have changed. Gentle support from a counsellor, or from a faith leader if that feels right, can help make sense of it.

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