Fear of money (chrematophobia)

Chrematophobia is a fear of money, which can mean handling cash, looking at bank statements or dealing with money matters at all. Letters may go unopened, bills unpaid and conversations about money avoided, even when there is enough to go round. Some people also feel uneasy touching notes and coins because they see them as dirty.

About this phobia

The word comes from the Greek chremata, meaning money or goods, and is also written chrometophobia. It is rare as a clinical term. In everyday use it overlaps with money anxiety and financial avoidance, which are common and widely discussed.

What it feels like

• Leaving bank letters and emails unopened for days or weeks
• Feeling sick or tense when checking a balance
• Handing money matters over to others to avoid dealing with them

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

Common questions

Where can I get help if money worry has become overwhelming?

If debts have built up, free and impartial debt advice services in the UK can help with the practical side. The anxiety itself is worth addressing too, as avoiding money matters tends to make the worry grow.

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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