Fear of nets (amphiblestronophobia)

Amphiblestronophobia is said to mean a fear of nets, such as fishing nets, sports nets or netting over fruit and plants. Where something like this does happen, it tends to centre on the idea of getting tangled, trapped or unable to pull free.

About this phobia

The word appears to come from the Greek amphiblestron, a type of casting net. It has been found on a Simple English Wikipedia list only, with no record of it as a real fear. Fears of being trapped or confined, such as claustrophobia, are much better documented and may describe the feeling more accurately.

What it feels like

• Pulling away from goal nets, hammocks or climbing nets
• Discomfort at the thought of hands or feet catching in mesh
• Checking for a clear way out before going near netted areas

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

Common questions

What if I panic about getting tangled in things?

A fear of entanglement is usually tied to a wider fear of being trapped, rather than to nets themselves. That kind of fear is well recognised and can be worked on directly. Noticing which situations set it off is a useful first step.

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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