Fear of Satan (satanophobia)

Satanophobia is a fear of Satan or the devil. It can show up as intense anxiety about evil, worry about being tempted or punished, or avoiding films, books and images that feature the devil. For people of faith it may sit alongside their beliefs in a way that feels heavy rather than supportive.

About this phobia

The name simply joins Satan with the ending for fear. It is a rare term, mostly found on lists, and is not a recognised diagnosis in its own right. It can overlap with religious forms of obsessive worry, sometimes called scrupulosity, as well as with demonophobia, a fear of demons.

What it feels like

• Intrusive thoughts about evil that are hard to shake off
• Avoiding horror films, certain music or images of the devil
• Needing to pray, check or seek reassurance to feel safe again

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

Common questions

Can someone have satanophobia and still hold a religious faith?

Yes. The fear is about the level of distress, not about belief itself, and many people with it want to keep their faith while feeling less afraid. Some find it helps to talk to a trusted faith leader as well as getting support for the anxiety.

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