Fear of paper (papyrophobia)

Paper is everywhere, from post and receipts to books and office work, which is what makes papyrophobia so awkward to live with. The fear can range from hating the feel or sound of paper to strong anxiety about paper cuts or piles of documents. Some people manage by going paperless wherever they can.

About this phobia

The name builds on papyrus, the ancient writing material that gave English the word paper. It is a rare fear that appears mostly on phobia lists, with very little clinical writing on it. For some people it overlaps with sensory dislikes, such as a strong reaction to certain textures or sounds.

What it feels like

• Shivering or cringing at the sound of paper tearing or rustling
• Handling paper only with fingertips, or avoiding touching it at all
• Worry about paper cuts that makes reading or opening post stressful

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

Common questions

Is fear of paper the same as hating the feel of it?

Not always. Some people simply dislike the texture or sound, much as others dislike nails on a chalkboard, while others feel real fear and avoid paper wherever they can. When it starts to affect work, study or opening important letters, it may be worth getting support.

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