Fear of laughter (geliophobia)

Geliophobia is a fear of laughter. Someone with this fear may feel tense around loud laughing, avoid comedy shows or busy social settings, or feel uneasy when others laugh nearby, even when it has nothing to do with them.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Greek gelos, meaning laughter. Geliophobia itself is mostly a list term, but a close relative, gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at, has been studied by psychologists. Many people who dread laughter find the real worry is being mocked or judged.

What it feels like

• A jolt of tension when a group bursts out laughing
• Assuming laughter nearby is aimed at you
• Avoiding parties, pubs or comedy nights where laughter is likely

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

Common questions

Is geliophobia the same as fear of being laughed at?

Not exactly. Geliophobia refers to laughter in general, while gelotophobia is the specific fear of being laughed at or ridiculed. In practice the two often overlap, and it can help to notice which one feels closer to your own experience.

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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