Phobias Types What Is Monophobia? By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 26, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Tooga / Stone / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What It Is Symptoms Causes Similar Conditions Diagnosis Treatment Coping Monophobia is the fear of being alone. When you have monophobia, you experience extreme anxiety when you are alone. The anxiety may be strong enough to impact your daily life and your relationships with others. Monophobia is also called autophobia. Learn more about monophobia, what causes it, and how it can be treated. What Is Monophobia? The word monophobia describes a severe, irrational fear of being alone. It can refer to several discrete fears which may or may not share a common cause, like the fear of: Being apart from a particular personBeing home aloneBeing in public by yourselfFeeling isolated or ignoredExperiencing danger while aloneLiving aloneLonelinessSolitude Monophobia is also known as autophobia, eremophobia, and isolophobia. Monophobia is a specific phobia, meaning it involves the fear of a certain situation. When faced with the feeling of being alone, someone with monophobia will experience extreme anxiety. Monophobia is not the same thing as loneliness. Loneliness is when you experience sadness when you're alone or when you wish you had more social connections and friendships. Monophobia is when you feel fear or anxiety when you are alone or anticipating being alone. You do not need to be lonely to experience monophobia. 1:34 Click Play to Learn More About the Fear of Being Alone This video has been medically reviewed by Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD. Symptoms of Monophobia While most of us can identify someone in our support system who we will miss if they are away, the distress that people with monophobia experience is much more serious and disruptive. Symptoms of monophobia can vary, but may include: Dizziness, fainting, or nausea while alone Experiencing intense anxiety that's out of proportion with their situation Feeling apprehensive when thinking about being alone Feeling secluded or ignored even while in a group or crowd of people Going to great lengths to avoid being isolated Increased heartbeat, tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing while alone Panic attacks Problems functioning in other aspects of their lives, including their ability to maintain healthy relationships The belief that something catastrophic will happen if they are left alone Monophobia can cause significant problems and distress. If you or a loved one are struggling with monophobia, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. What Causes Monophobia? It's not clear what causes conditions like monophobia. It may have developed due to a traumatic experience you had while left alone, or you may have learned the behavior from a family member or close friend. It's also possible that childhood adversity could play a role in monophobia. Children may develop a fear of being alone after experiencing things like: AbuseDeath of a parentDivorceDomestic violenceEconomic problems within the familyExtended separation from a parentNeglectParental substance misuse or mental illnessSerious illness of a family member Feelings of loneliness and challenges with self-regulation may also trigger monophobia. The condition may be linked to feelings of inadequacy should an emergency situation arise, a common concern for many people who fear being alone even when in their own homes. You may also have legitimate reasons for feeling fearful, like if you live in a neighborhood with a high crime rate. Generally, these fears should not dictate the way you live your life, beyond encouraging you to take rational safety precautions. Press Play for Advice On Dealing With Loneliness This episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring singer/songwriter Grace Gaustad, shares how to deal with feelings of loneliness. Click below to listen now. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / Amazon Music Similar Conditions Monophobia shares characteristics with several other conditions, like: Agoraphobia, or the fear of being unable to escape a dangerous or stressful situation Codependency, which can involve discomfort when away from a partner Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which includes excessive worry over a variety of situations Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can develop as a result of trauma Social anxiety disorder (SAD), which is characterized by a worry of being watched or judged while in public In children, attachment anxiety and separation anxiety disorder may show some of the same symptoms of monophobia. Attachment anxiety can develop when a child isn't able to form a secure relationship with a caregiver. An adult with this attachment style may work very hard to maintain close relationships and may show controlling or clingy behavior. Separation anxiety is a normal part of early childhood development. However, if a child is experiencing severe distress that persists into later childhood, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. Adults can also experience separation anxiety disorder. When to See a Doctor If your fear of being alone is significantly interfering with your life or if you are experiencing panic attacks, it's time to make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health professional. This is especially important If you also have symptoms of depression or problems with substance use. Diagnosis To diagnose monophobia, your doctor will conduct a history and physical and will make sure that another condition is not the cause of your symptoms. They will look for signs that your fear of being alone is severe enough to disrupt your everyday life. As is the case with other phobias, feeling nervous or uncomfortable isn't enough to warrant a diagnosis. If you have monophobia, being alone (or, in some cases, imagining that you're alone) will provoke immediate fear or anxiety and lead to a pattern of avoidance. For a diagnosis, symptoms of a phobia must be present for at least six months. Specific Phobia DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria How Is Monophobia Treated? Like all phobias, the fear of being alone responds well to a variety of treatment options. People with monophobia may benefit from medication and therapy. Your treatment will likely focus on: Reducing the fear and anxiety you experience while you're aloneGradually building up your ability to be by yourself Medication Your doctor may prescribe medication to help control the symptoms of monophobia. This could include anti-anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines or beta-blockers, or antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). If your doctor does prescribe medication, it will likely be used together with therapy. Medication may also be used short-term as a way to reduce the anxiety you feel while undergoing therapy. Psychotherapy Behavioral therapy is an essential part of the treatment process for a phobia. Your doctor may recommend: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you learn how to notice and challenge the automatic thoughts associated with your phobia. This may help you identify moments when your anxiety is out of proportion with the actual danger of being alone. Desensitization: Desensitization is a process where you're exposed to situations that cause anxiety while you practice techniques to keep yourself calm. This form of therapy is meant to slowly desensitize you to the experience of being alone. Coping With Monophobia Feeling unable to be alone can make it hard to travel, run errands, and experience many aspects of your life. You may have significant problems maintaining friendships and romantic relationships, as others might view your anxieties as controlling or clingy behavior. If you have monophobia, your doctor can help you come up with at-home coping strategies you can use to help alleviate your anxiety. These techniques could include: Deep breathing Meditation Progressive muscle relaxation Visualization Yoga You might find that background noise helps to distract you in situations where you have to be alone. Carrying a stimulating toy can also give you something to focus on while in public to mitigate anxiety, as can carrying around a book or tablet—just be careful that this doesn't become an avoidance behavior. You might also find comfort in making sure you have minimized the legitimate risks that may be causing your fear. That could mean making sure your home is secure or ensuring that you're not alone in a legitimately dangerous location. You can also look to your support system for help coping with monophobia. If you're away from a particular person, talking on the phone or online may help alleviate your immediate distress. Some families even create rituals, such as eating the same meal for dinner or sending special emails at the same time each night, to honor their relationships while they're apart. A Word From Verywell If your fear of being alone is severe, or if it affects your daily life, the best solution is to seek professional treatment. Monophobia is a treatable condition, and getting the assistance of a mental health professional can help you address your phobia and improve your day-to-day experience. What Is Monophobia? 7 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Barber C. Loneliness and mental health. 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Childhood separation anxiety and the pathogenesis and treatment of adult anxiety. Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(1):34-43. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13060781 Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG. Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review. F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1 By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit