Fear of relatives (syngenesophobia)

Syngenesophobia is a fear of relatives, which might mean the wider family or particular family members. It can show up as dread before family gatherings, avoiding calls from relatives, or feeling tense and on guard around them.

About this phobia

The term is built from Greek words relating to kin and is found mainly on lists of phobias, with little clinical writing behind it. Fears about family often sit alongside social anxiety or difficult past experiences rather than standing alone. Related list terms cover fears of particular relatives, such as stepparents or in-laws.

What it feels like

• Dread or low mood in the days before a family event
• Making excuses to avoid visits, weddings or holiday get-togethers
• Feeling tense, watchful or unable to relax when relatives are around

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

Common questions

Is it normal to be afraid of my relatives?

Many people find family time stressful, and feeling uneasy around certain relatives is more common than it seems. If the fear is linked to past mistreatment or something that happened in the family, a GP or a specialist counsellor can help in a safe and gentle way.

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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