Fear of puppets (pupaphobia)

Pupaphobia is a fear of puppets, from glove puppets and marionettes to ventriloquist dummies. The fixed faces, jerky movements and sense that something lifeless is acting alive can feel deeply unsettling. It may mean skipping children’s shows, theatre trips or certain toy shops.

About this phobia

The name seems to borrow from the Latin pupa, meaning doll, the same root behind the word puppet. Like many rare phobia names, it is mostly found on lists rather than in clinical writing. It is closely related to pediophobia, a fear of dolls, and to automatonophobia, a fear of figures that imitate people.

What it feels like

• Not being able to look at a puppet’s eyes or face
• Feeling on edge when a puppet moves suddenly or is made to talk
• Leaving a party or show early when a puppet act begins

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

Common questions

Why do puppets frighten some people?

Puppets look almost human but not quite, and that gap can feel eerie. Horror films that use dummies may add to it, as can a scare in childhood. The fear is real for the person who feels it, however odd it may sound to others.

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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