Fear of long waits (macrophobia)

Macrophobia is a fear of long waits. Queues, delayed trains, hospital waiting rooms or a call on hold can all bring on strong restlessness or panic, and some people avoid any situation where they might be kept waiting.

About this phobia

The name links to the Greek makros, meaning long. It is a rare term and is not the same as a fear of large things, which some lists call megalophobia. It may overlap with general anxiety and with a strong dislike of uncertainty.

How it shows up

Nobody enjoys a long queue, but for someone with macrophobia the wait itself can feel unbearable. As the minutes pass, restlessness can build into panic, with a strong sense of being stuck and out of control. Some people avoid any situation where a wait is likely, or walk out of a queue they have been in for ages. The fear is less about time wasted and more about the feeling of being trapped by it.

Common triggers

• Long queues with no sign of moving
• Delays announced with no end time
• Being put on hold
• Waiting for test results or news
• Traffic jams
• Being told to wait with no reason given
• Slow tills or ticket machines

Where it shows up

• Supermarkets and post offices
• Train stations and airports
• Hospital and GP waiting rooms
• Phone lines and call centres
• Roads at rush hour
• Theme parks and attractions

Symptoms

In your body

• Restless legs or fidgeting
• Racing heart
• Feeling hot or sweaty
• Tight chest
• Clenched jaw or fists

In your mind

• Feeling trapped or stuck
• Imagining the wait will never end
• Irritability or growing panic
• Feeling that time has slowed down

What you might do

• Leaving queues early
• Going at odd times to avoid waits
• Constantly checking the time
• Skipping appointments with long waits

What may cause it

There is no research on macrophobia itself, but struggling with uncertainty is a well studied part of anxiety. Not knowing how long something will take can feel more stressful than the wait itself. A past panic attack in a queue or waiting room may also link waiting with alarm. Leaving or avoiding brings relief, which can make each wait feel harder.

How it can affect your life

The fear can make shopping, travel and health appointments stressful, and some people miss things they need. Others notice it affects their mood and patience with family or colleagues. Days out, holidays and even routine errands may be planned around avoiding queues, which limits where people feel able to go.

Related fears

• Generalised anxiety
• Fear of being trapped (claustrophobia)
• Panic disorder

Things that can help day to day

• Bring something to occupy your mind, such as a book or podcast
• Ask for an estimated waiting time where you can
• Practise slow breathing while you wait
• Stay a little longer each time before deciding to leave

When to get help

If the fear is causing you to miss medical appointments or important tasks, speak to your GP or a therapist. Anxiety linked to waiting and uncertainty can be eased with the right support.

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

About me

Common questions

Is hating waiting the same as macrophobia?

Most people find long waits annoying. A phobia is different because the feeling is strong enough to cause real distress or change plans, such as skipping appointments to avoid a waiting room.

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.

Further reading: NHS: Generalised anxiety disorder · NHS: Panic disorder · NHS: Phobias

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