Chronophobia, the Fear of Time

Chronophobia is characterized by the fear of the passage of time. Usually, this is connected to the fear that our time on Earth is limited or that we're having trouble tracking its passing. Even though time isn't a fully concrete concept, some may consider it as a type of "specific phobia," similar to how one would fear a cat or snake. Specific phobias affect about 10% of adults in the US.

We all fear getting older to some degree, or wish we had more time to spend with our friends and loved ones, but most of the time, this does not rise to the level of a phobia, which requires persistent debilitating anxiety and other associated symptoms in response to the object of our fear. Data on the prevalence of chronophobia is not readily available, although it's a fear many of us can understand.

Causes of Chronophobia

Some populations experience chronophobia, the fear of time, more than others. In fact, since it is so common in prison populations it is sometimes known as "prison neurosis," which is connected to the disorienting nature of spending an extended period of time behind bars.

The elderly, as well as people facing terminal illnesses who worry that their time on Earth may be limited, may also face this fear. Time becomes their enemy, and they fear that its passing will ultimately lead to their death. That said, a phobia diagnosis typically requires that the fear be excessive or unreasonable. In the case of illness, sadly, these fears may not always be unreasonable.

The fear of time also sometimes presents in the wake of severe trauma, such as a natural disaster, particularly if the daily routine is seriously disrupted.  It is also has been seen in shipwreck survivors and others who are trapped in a high-anxiety situation with no familiar means of tracking the passage of time. In fact, a sense of a foreshortened future has previously been used as one of the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Symptoms

Chronophobia is marked by a sense of derealization in which time seems to speed up or slow down. Some people develop circular thought patterns, racing thoughts, and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Prisoners often mark down the days until their release.

Many people will also experience panic, anxiety, and claustrophobia, which are common symptoms of most phobias as well as common reactions to trauma. Panic attacks, sweating, shortness of breath, and even persistently haunting thoughts are also often reported, but only in extreme cases.

Treating Chronophobia

In extreme cases, untreated chronophobia can lead to isolation, depression, and even increasingly disordered thinking. It is important to seek advice from a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible.

Chronophobia responds well to such standard phobia treatments as cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy. As it is closely linked with other disorders, however, it is best to diagnose and treat all concurrent conditions simultaneously. In fact, part of diagnosing a phobia is ruling out that the anxiety is caused by a different pre-existing condition.

Prevention of Chronophobia

Since the fear of time is often caused by situations that cannot be fully controlled, like illness, it is difficult to prevent. More general anxiety and stress management techniques also exist that can help you deal with these kinds of fears.

Additionally, making an effort to find your purpose in life can help you make the most of your time on Earth, whether you have chronophobia or not.