Fear of rectal disease (proctophobia)

Proctophobia is a fear centred on the rectum and on the idea of rectal disease. It can show up as constant worry about bowel changes, dread of medical examinations, or avoiding any conversation about that part of the body. If you have real symptoms such as bleeding or a change in bowel habits, it is always worth checking them with a GP.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Greek proktos, meaning anus or rectum, the same root used in the medical word proctology. It appears mainly on lists of phobias rather than in clinical writing. In practice it often overlaps with health anxiety and with a more general fear of illness.

What it feels like

• Checking the toilet or your body again and again for signs that something is wrong
• Putting off a GP appointment or screening test out of embarrassment or dread
• A rush of panic when a news story or advert mentions bowel cancer

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

Common questions

Is proctophobia the same as health anxiety?

Not exactly, but the two often go together. Health anxiety covers worry about illness in general, while proctophobia is focused on one part of the body. Either way, getting real symptoms checked by a GP is the first step, and the fear itself can be worked on separately.

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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