Scelerophobia is the fear of burglars, bad men or crime in general. The word Scelerophobia is derived from Latin, ‘scelero’ which means ‘wickedness or crime’ and ‘phobos’ which means ‘deep dread or fear’.
Fearing crime is a common and prevalent issue in modern society. The level or extent of the fear of crime depends on various factors like age, gender, past experiences etc. Other factors like the neighborhood where one lives, ethnicity etc can also have a bearing on the fear level.
To some extent, the fear of crime is normal and even essential for safety and well being. However, in extreme Scelerophobia, many ‘normal’ things become difficult for the suffering individual. For example, one might go to great lengths to prevent crime (such as locking one’s home or constantly checking and rechecking locks to an extent that it becomes an obsession). Many refuse to step out of their home after dark or travel to lonely places for the fear of being attacked or robbed. Their phobia leads to constant fatigue as it causes them to believe that they need to be vigilant all the time.
Let us study Scelerophobia in detail.
Causes of fear of crime
As stated above, many factors are responsible for the fear of crime phobia.
- Gender is the strongest predictor of crime. Women fear crime more than men owing to greater possibility of sexual assaults. Other factors like fewer coping skills, irrationality etc are also attributed to higher levels of Scelerophobia in women.
- Elderly people are also known to suffer from Scelerophobia more than younger people. This may be due to higher number of mugging or breaking-and-entering type of incidents. (Research has actually shown that elderly people are not specifically targets of crimes, but their level of Scelerophobia often exceeds their risk of victimization).
- Trauma transference which occurs from watching a friend or a loved one become the victim of crime can also instigate the fear to an extent that one obsesses about locking windows and doors, closing shades and curtains, stowing away valuables etc.
- Crime can be of different types: motor vehicle or household theft, sexual assault, robbery, vandalism, break and enter etc. Each of these crimes instills different levels of fear in the victims of the crimes. For example, theft of any kind involves sharp weapons, assault, loss or damage of property/money, as well as a stranger doing these. Crime also involves police reports, court cases etc which are viewed in negative light.
- Geographical location can also lead to fear of crime in that; people in cities are likelier to suffer owing to higher crime rates than those in rural areas.
- Similarly, ethnicity tends to impact the level of fear: research has shown that Asians have the most fear followed by ‘Black groups’ followed by White groups.
- Media and news reports about crimes like teenagers being shot, women being raped, new homes being vandalized etc all enhance the level of fear of crime. This is more so in the case of anxious or high strung individuals already suffering from anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of Scelerophobia
People with Scelerophobia usually show avoidance and protective behaviors such as refusing to go out at night. Many tend to obtain protective measures like watch dogs, electric fences, security systems with alarms or join self defense classes and other neighborhood crime watch programs. Some tend to go overboard and obsessive in checking and rechecking their locks.
Physical symptoms of Scelerophobia including having a full blown panic attack at the thought of crime or being attacked. Crying, shaking, weeping, trembling are other signs of Scelerophobia. These people are constantly vigilant and never relax which can be a tiring experience for them.
Overcoming the fear of crime phobia
Often people who are afraid of crime expect the government and police to help them. However, these agencies might not always be in a position to stop or prevent crime. In such cases, the phobic might resort to vandalism or taken the matters in his own hands. Hence it is vital that the government takes all necessary steps to educate people about crime and also help them find ways of protecting their community while reducing personal fears.
Thus, the fear of crime phobia is a social responsibility as well as an individual one. Those who have been clinically diagnosed as being Scelerophobic should resort to clinical evaluation and psychotherapy. Gradual or systematic desensitization, counter conditioning, Hypnotism and NLP or Neuro linguistic programming therapies are all known to help overcome this fear. Reading statistics and educating oneself about actual incidents of crime in one’s residential area can also be beneficial in overcoming Scelerophobia.
Anonymous says
My older brother assaulted me when I was five, and I’ve been really scared it would happen again. This morphed into an obsession, and now I’m afraid someone is in the house I don’t know about. I can’t go upstairs alone at night, and I always feel like someone is watching me. I jump into bed each night because I’m afraid someone will grab my ankles from underneath the bed. I can’t sleep, and I lie awake for hours. I’m scared all the time.
Fe says
I’m so sorry. Have you spoken to anyone, perhaps a therapist?
Roy says
I have the same phobia. I try to put on the night light, and I sleep alone. Just put on a night light, and you will be fine.
Aisha says
I’m seventeen years, and I think I have this phobia due to the robbery attack I experienced some months ago. It has affected me a lot. I was robbed on my way back from a school program at around six in the evening, and since then, I have been having a lot of fears, especially at night. For instance, if I want to get something outside, I’m always scared that someone might attack me from the back or from the front. Sometimes I even dream about being tabbed. Please, I need some advice on what to do.
natalie says
I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m glad you’re okay. You should really consider therapy if you have the means because you went through something very traumatic and you could benefit from professional help.
Anonymous says
So I’m currently 14, and I think I may have this phobia. I don’t like falling asleep because I think about what might happen when I’m not awake and what I won’t hear. If I hear anything like a small scream or even a dog barking, I turn off all noise and sit in silence, listening to my surroundings. Every noise in the middle of the night makes my heart beat rapidly, and I hold my breath to be quieter to hear what is happening. I check every door is locked and shut tight at night and the windows are all clicked shut. I thought it was just me being young and afraid, but I think it is a little worse than that.
KP says
I have the exact same thing. I never fall asleep at night. As soon as I hear something minor, I immediately stop what I am doing and listen. I have to take a knife with me and put things in front of my bedroom door. This will help, so in case you are fast asleep, you will likely hear the objects in front of the door moving, so you have time to prepare. It’s horrible. I’ve pulled an all-nighter tonight just because of this paranoia.
Anon says
Unless I have drunk alcohol, I lie awake long into the night, my ears constantly straining to hear any unusual noise. When I do (inevitable), my heart is pounding, and I walk around the house with something heavy, checking all rooms, the garden, and the street outside. Then I go back to bed and start the whole cycle again. Sometimes I only manage to get to sleep when it starts getting light. I am 43, so it shows that age doesn’t matter. I hate this.
heidi says
I’m going to stay at my folk’s house in Texas, which is empty and has been for the last several months since my mother passed away. It is a large house, and I’m terrified of the thought of spending three weeks there by myself while visiting my dad in a long-term care facility and finding out if it’s feasible for me to get a job there. I can’t imagine how I will do that when I can barely stand my one-bedroom apartment and not be fearful. The last time I had to stay in the house alone, I spent all night awake crying and eventually locked myself in the walk-in closet to fall asleep. I’m terrified someone will break in or already be in there to harm me. I don’t know what to do. I only have ten days before I leave. I don’t want to tell my family about my situation because I just think I’m weird. When I was younger, I used to worry all the time. They told me I’d have an answer by the time I was 12, now I’m 58 and can barely live alone. I don’t know what to do about this trip. I’m scared to death.
Anno says
I am 12, and I also think I have this phobia. I always think that if I hear someone break in, I will end up dead. I sleep with the light on and need to see outside my room. It is hard to fall asleep, and I must always convince myself that my parents/family will protect me. It’s scary.
n. says
Hello, I have been very anxious about this lately. I am too scared to be alone, every second I hear a creak or a movement I jump thinking it’s an intruder. I haven’t been able to sleep, I wake up in the middle of the night. I have dreams of being killed by robbers, or creepy men. I haven’t been able to be home alone in weeks, and I’m too scared to walk alone, be outside at night, walk through my house at night etc. The littlest things trigger me causing me to shake, tremble, palms to sweat, and for my heart to beat like crazy. I can’t live like this anymore, does anyone have advice?
D says
I’m 12 and I can really relate to what you said. I think I have this phobia because of a lot of different reasons. During the day it’s just me, my brother and my grandpa. He usually goes to the gas station or something to get lottery tickets so when he does I’m left home alone and what I do is I get something hard (like a lotion bottle) and I sit by the window to make sure no one comes up on our driveway. Another thing is at night when I hear like the smallest sound I stay in my room and turn down the tv to make sure I don’t hear it again, but if I do my heart starts racing. Hopefully this goes away soon!
E says
I am so scared too. I am also 12 years old. I looked at some of the other comments here, and oh my god, I never realized this is what I’m going through. Something happened to me, and ever since, if I watch a scary movie or anything, it really triggers this off. I used to sleep with a metal flimsy ring bookbinder and a toy Nerf gun next to me because I was that scared my heart started to pound like yours, and my parents didn’t believe me. I decided to tell my parents, but my mum said I was being silly and just trying to stay up late when I’m really one of those people that love their sleep. She got so fed up she bought me earplugs so I wouldn’t hear the noises that were scaring me in the middle of the night. She had to tell me about how she locks the doors, how the windows are really strong, how this was an old house, and that was probably what the creaking was. My step-mum said it was anxiety, and I thought so too up till now. I am so thankful to know what’s going on with me, and I hope that I and everyone else who suffers from it get over it.
AA says
Hey you guys! I have this same phobia, although mine has started to decrease little by little. It hasn’t always been like this, however. I am almost 18 years old. I have always shared a room with my sister. Sleeping at night was easier, but I always wanted some light source to be near, and even now, I find it’s a ton easier to sleep with even a tiny source of light. I have my own room, and it’s still uncomfortable at times when it’s time to sleep. The way I have learned to cope with these things is first to practice deep breathing. That has been a huge help. When I tense up my muscles and don’t breathe properly, my fear worsens, and I am in a state of what feels like paralysis. Once I tell myself everything is okay and remind myself that I will be safe, I relax, stretch out my legs, and breathe. I also try and think of happy things. Since I don’t go to bed earlier, I end up being tired enough to fall asleep quickly and not struggle to go to bed. If you stay busy during the day, falling asleep will be much easier. If it’s severe to the point where this phobia is affecting your everyday life, you should alert your parents/guardians so they are aware and can take you to see a doctor or psychiatrist, who will evaluate you and figure out a treatment plan for you. Meditation is a great way to calm you down and keep your mind from conjuring up crazy and unlikely scenarios when you’re afraid. I have been afraid of bad men or burglars for about 8-9 years, and you know what? Nothing has ever happened once to me! I have been safe and protected. I know I’m okay, and I find comfort in knowing that my family can protect each other. If something has happened and that is the underlying cause of your fear, you should definitely consider therapy to help you because trauma is no joke. You decide what works best for you. Before bed, have good habits, such as quiet time reading or journaling and no electronics. You can get through this. Breathe in, breathe out. You’ll be okay.
Mckenzie says
But I have a reason to have this fear. I’ve caught someone looking through my old apartment windows. And at this apartment, I left the door unlocked one night, and nobody was home except my dog, and the house can only be deadbolted from the inside. We came home, and it was locked! I am terrified whenever my boyfriend isn’t home with me at night or if he gets home late or sleeps on the couch when we argue. I don’t know what to do at this point. I will lock myself in the bathroom when I hear noises, and lately, I’ve been hearing whistling outside. For instance, I heard three whistles tonight. But my boyfriend is telling me I’m crazy and I need help and all this other stuff. My fear is a joke to him. I grew up in a city with one traffic light, where everyone knew everyone, and we left the doors unlocked at night. I now live in Columbus, Ohio. It’s a whole different culture here, and he’s lived here his whole life, so he doesn’t get it. Any advice? Thanks in advance!
Anonymous says
I am 13 years old and I am horrified at night, however I am not scared of night walks with someone. It calmed down for a while but recently I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a picture of skinny hunchback people. I also saw this story where a couple returned home and there was a broken entry, however, the police didn’t find anybody. At night they heard a scratching noise coming from under their bed. When the police came they found a scrawny old woman who had been on meth for two hours with a butchers knife trying to get to them through the mattress.
Mia says
I am 17 years old, almost 18, and I think I have this phobia, but I’m not too sure if I’m just paranoid or I’m being stalked. Several weird events have taken place that lead me to believe I am in danger, but I have no evidence to prove it, other than my word, so nobody believes me. My mum just laughs every time I tell her that I think I’m in danger, as we’re not in a particularly dangerous neighborhood. It’s getting to a point where I can’t be home alone anymore, not even during the day. I even feel scared when walking my dog during the day. I believe somebody is watching me, but with no viable evidence or anyone I could pin point it on, I can’t do anything about it. I can’t function on my own anymore, I’m always tired and stressed and nobody understands the constant fear I’m in.
Ion Catalin says
Man, this is serious what you are going through. The only way to get rid of a fear is to go face to face with it. Take a boxing class in the beginning. Take daily walks alone.
In my opinion, it’s just a silly fear, and you got nothing to be scared of to such a level. It’s just your imagination.
Michael Shapiro says
Being told that your fear is silly is terribly reductive and insensitive. A boxing class does nothing if you are too paralyzed with fear to move, much less remember how to defend yourself against someone who may be bigger and stronger or even mentally ill. I hope the OP can find relief someday. This is a phobia that’s misunderstood by those who do not suffer from it.
Kit says
I’ve been struggling with this a lot recently, and my parents never believe me when I say I’m scared, or they just yell at me and make me feel worthless and stupid for being scared of something for “little kids”. I always try to see if I could get the dog from my parents room, but he’s super attached to my mother so he typically doesn’t want to go. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with this fear, it helps knowing that I’m not alone.
Aidan Holden says
I’m 14 years old and I have Scelerophobia. I believe I have this fear due to watching too many of those scary animations on Youtube. Sometimes, when I’m really scared, I grab a weapon to protect myself with. Golf clubs and knives mostly. I’m also scared of people in costumes due to the lingering fear that I’ll get kidnapped and raped by someone in a mascot suit. Sounds strange for a boy like me to be afraid of being raped, but I’m still terrified. So, in conclusion, Kit, no, you’re not alone. But fear can be conquered, so stay strong.
Carolina Ingram says
Same. I’m 13 and when I was 11, I watched so many of those scary animations and ghost hunting videos. Ever since then, I’ve been terrified when I go to bed or just leave my house in general. My house doesn’t have security cameras or a pet, so I’m always really lonely when my fear starts to take over. I always seem to think that everyone I see is a bad person who’s ready to come and hurt me. I really wish I hadn’t watched those videos. They have a life long effect on me.
E says
It’s definitely those that help trigger it. Something else though made me realize what a horrible place this world is.
Anonymous says
Same. I am 13 now but when I was 12 I watched some of those animations. I sometimes watched security footage and there was a child with a sign that said help me, and a scrawny man in the background saw her and struck her with a knife in the head.
AA says
It’s not strange for you to fear anything. Rape, kidnapping, etc., are all very real things. What you need to know is how to deal with these fears. You can’t let the things you fear get the better of you. It is unfortunate for those who have gone through these things, but just know that it does not mean it will happen to you even though it happens to others. Some coping mechanisms you could implement are deep breathing, always having a buddy with you, or simply occupying your mind with something you enjoy doing, whether that be watching a comedy show, reading books, listening to uplifting and joyful music, etc. You are not alone, and you are strong enough to get through this. Well Wishes Aidan.
Hell says
I don’t know you guys but if you are dreaming of people getting murdered in your home I’m not sure what to do about it.
E says
I’m worried it’s going to be me!
AA says
I have had this thought recurring to me before. I haven’t quite dreamt about it, but I do understand the idea. My fear of people close to me being harmed has stemmed from both real and fictional events. I should stop watching so many crime TV shows. My advice to you is to practice deep breathing once again. Know that you and your loved ones are safe as long as you take the appropriate protective measures. Consider some basic self-defense if it will help you. If it becomes an obsession, try and talk with your parents/guardians so that you can see a psychiatrist, who will, in turn, help you with some additional techniques and therapy to decrease your fear.
Nico Cione says
I’m 23 years old and I currently live in a dangerous town in New Jersey called Vineland. Crime is everywhere here. I don’t like living in a suburban environment. I’m 30 minutes away from a bad person who watches fake wrestling and criminal shows. I dislike him! He’s annoying, too talkative, he’s ugly-looking and he has “bug eyes”. This is a crowded town I currently live in. It’s getting worse and worse every year.
Philip says
I know that this is a long comment but I would really appreciate it if someone reads this and acknowledges my feelings.
I am still young (11) and when i was about 6 or 7 i have had this phobia. It has been on and off over the years. It will come if I see or hear something slightly off-putting.
I believe I have this phobia because when I was 6 or 7, our house got broken into and I was assaulted. I wouldn’t be in a room with a closed-door ever. If I was by myself upstairs or downstairs I would just run to where other people were. I was about 9 when it stopped. It went away for a while and the thought didn’t come to my mind at all unless I heard a window smashing or a loud thumping sound or saw someone who looked dodgy. This went on until I was late 11. I am still late 11 but it was like that until about 3 weeks ago. Since then, whatever I do to take my mind off the disturbing thoughts of a bad person smashing a window and trapping me in my room hopelessly. Now I am 11, I am in secondary school and both of my parents work 3 hours after I get home from my school so I am at home all by myself. At first, before I had the feeling of someone breaking into my house, I thought that being home alone for a while was a quite rewarding feeling. It made me feel bigger than I was before but then my fear came back into my life like a bus to the face, I just felt hopeless. When I walked home from the station I was about halfway home and the thoughts, they came back. I swear when the thoughts hit me, I died for a few seconds. Anyway I was nearly home and then I just thought; what if someone has broken into my house and I am going to be home by myself and what if the criminal is still hiding in the house because they thought that I could do something about it when I catch them. There are people I can go to like my neighbors and my friends house but if I am stuck in a room upstairs then I can’t do anything and I personally don’t trust the police will do anything (they need to improve the efficiency – when there is a hopeless child in desperate need for help, they are dealing with someones Renault Clio being rolled out of the drive.) then I wouldn’t be able to say anything in case the criminal is armed and caught me and hurt me.
To emphasize how easily I get set off, about 30 minutes into writing this article I am sat at my desk and hear fireworks going off and I think it is someone knocking on my windows to see if anyone is in the house. I felt the blood flushing out of me!
I don’t feel too unsafe when my parents are going out somewhere for a bit and I am home alone or they went out before I woke up, it is the pressure of walking home from the train station and there is nothing to do or think about. I can only think, what if the house is broken into, what if I walk in the doors and a cat has brought a dead present and the sight of it makes me jump. I just get so anxious.
I think I am only badly anxious when I am getting home, not when my parents go out, because when I got robbed when I was younger I had just gotten home from school and I was about to go upstairs to watch tv. I saw glass shards all over the kitchen floor and my cat asleep on the sofa (he wasn’t dead, the criminals left him alone) and then me and my mum went upstairs and every room (except mine) had been trashed and everything was all over the floor. Also the thieves never got caught as far as I am concerned, as they wore gloves, so they couldn’t be tracked easily unless they got caught in a trap from a burglar alarm or CCTV.
I needed to get all this out of my system as it is nearly the end of the half term and I will be back at school in a couple of days, so it was key that I felt a bit better about it all. I really do appreciate it if you did read all this and acknowledge everything I have written. You don’t know how much it means to me that someone understands my difficulties with these simple situations that I get anxious about, that a lot of people don’t.
okeydokeylemonsmokey says
I know this comment isn’t new but i figured i’d still respond just in case you still suffer from what you’re describing. I just want say that I had very similar feelings when I was your age, I used to barricade my room and hide under my bed in sheer terror most nights. Symptoms like these need to be addressed, while you may gradually recover on your own, it simply isn’t worth the risk. Talk to your parents about seeing a therapist.
In the short term, research crime statistics in your area and prevention options. I got a bit better by installing security bars on all my windows – but that isn’t always feasible. Sometimes small things are enough to bring down your chances of a break-in significantly, e.g. a sign warning people of security cameras (even without security cameras installed, it will serve as a form of deterrent). I’m sorry I can’t offer any better advice than this, I understand very well how much it sucks to have these types of fears plaguing you. Just know that no burglar is going out of their way to target you, so long as your house isn’t an easy target – they’ll choose another one that is. Good luck!
Kalissa Bryant says
I hope you will be okay. I was left at home by myself for hours and I had the same fears of being attacked by someone coming to get me. This was because of scary movies I was allowed to watch and an experience I had when I was 5. When I was 5 my family and relatives got together at a park. It was a big group so it was easy for a stranger to blend in. A stranger started talking to me, he was very friendly and said he was an uncle of mine. I was used to new faces and so I didn’t feel in danger. He said he needed help grabbing some stuff from his car and said he would love for my help. I started walking with him towards his car. Thankfully my mom noticed at the perfect time and yelled at him. He was scared off. I think stuff that happens in your childhood really defines and enhances prolonging fears. You are not alone. I don’t think it’s safe to leave your child at home for that long without an adult watching them. Especially if you’ve already had a theft trauma/attack. Your parents should understand your worry and make sure you are at a safe place after school. Such as a friends who has parents home. And it would be more assuring if you had some self-defense stuff if you’re taking the bus. Maybe you should talk to a school counselor too. I hope things get better for you.
Rachel says
Me too. I am 10 and hate being in my house alone. I keep having different versions of the same dream of someone almost or actually breaking into my house. Last night, 11/12/21 to 11/13/21, I had to go to my mom’s in her room because, in my dream, I kept hearing a voice by my back gate, so I hurried inside. Then a sketchy guy with a backpack rolled up to my house on a bike and almost broke into my house. It was only a dream, but these dreams terrify and haunt me to this day.
That Lady says
I’m 30 years old, and due to a traumatic experience I had when I was young, I still deal with this to this day. I understand your pain, terror, frustration, and isolation. I absolutely understand how completely exhausting it is to sit rigid, frozen, vigilant all hours when you hear a crash or thud. I’ve also lost jobs because I didn’t sleep and then overslept when the sun came up. I’ve failed tests. And I’ve taxed my mental health further. You’re not alone, and your fears matter.
AA says
Philip, I feel for you! I can only imagine how scary your situation must have been, especially at such a young age. If you still have these symptoms, my advice would be first to let your parents know how you’re feeling. If they aren’t aware, they should know immediately. This is serious. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) has a huge effect on people who have suffered trauma. It can escalate and lead to depression, constant physical body pain, and possible psychotic issues if untreated. You can get help to get past this fear, and there are professionals whose job is to help you through any fear or phobia you may have. If you end up seeing a psychiatrist or therapist, they may have you take medication or exposure therapy, but they won’t know how to help you or if you need help if your parents don’t take you to see someone. You matter, and your daily life shouldn’t be filled with fear. I wish the best to you, Philip!
Donna Pulido says
I have recently become afraid of someone breaking in my house at night to harm me. I have never had this fear before and it is preventing me from sleeping at night. I have vivid dreams of it happening and have started sleeping with a baseball bat. I am desperate to find a cure for this. I feel like there may be triggers but I cannot identify them yet. Is there hope for this?
zzxx says
I also have this fear. I have started to go to sleep at 4am in the morning because I’m scared of what may happen when I’m not awake. I have this constant worry that I’m going to be home alone one day and hear someone braking in. I’m also trying to research a cure for this because I can’t even go out after dark anymore.
Ash says
I’ve recently started to fear people intruding into my house at night. Once it turns dark, I immediately am listening close for any noise, and any noise I hear freaks me out so much that it’s hard for me to get to sleep. Luckily, my cat Oreo sleeps with me often and cuddling with him slightly relieves my worries, but it’s starting to become a problem where I’m so afraid of someone coming into my house that I am in constant fear at night and can’t fall asleep without tossing and turning for a while. Even though I live in a good part of town and there is literally the street lamp right outside my house and we keep everything locked, I still get freaked out. It’s typically only at night, though. Daytime is when my family is awake and everyone else is awake as well, so I don’t have any fear at all during the day.
K W says
I’m on patrol 19 hours a day. I sleep really well when my husband is home. Otherwise, I’m checking windows, door locks, the basement lock, turning lights off/on to signal I’m home. I have a lot of children. I fear they will be kidnapped in the night. I would love an electric fence. My hub isn’t worried. He just sleeps like the dead. I have some anxiety about dying and he won’t notice them being kidnapped. My middle daughter (16) suffers as well (worst part).
Trista says
I’ve had this phobia since a young age, maybe around 7 or 6. I was always afraid someone (not a monster like most kids. I was afraid that an actually person was under my bed). I wouldn’t even look under my bed. I was also afraid that someone would climb into my window, so I never opened it and always made sure it was locked. Instead of getting a normal amount of sleep I would (and still do) stay up all night. Making sure nothing happens. I’ve developed a bad sleeping disorder because of this.
Lance says
I would do something similar but think someones going to come through my door, so all night I stare at my door then check the window then go look if the blinds are shut etc.
Anonymous says
I had the same fear at that age and did the same things. I also covered myself completely in a blanket and laid as flat as possible so it looked like I weren’t there. But now it’s gotten more serious. My neighbors (we live in a semi-detached house) are always shouting all night and banging, and now I think that someone’s in our house. This resulted in many sleepless nights.
Bug says
I have had this fear since like forever. I would always get sick to my stomach and get out of bed in the middle of the night just to go and check the locks. I would wake my mom up just to ask her if all the doors were locked. I think I got this fear because my parents would watch police shows with robberies. I also have a fear that my house is going to catch on fire. I have that fear because my parents would watch firefighter shows. How can I overcome those fears?
Nori says
Hi, I’ve had this phobia since I was 9. I don’t specifically remember it occuring, but I remember it building up over time. I kept trying to convince my family to get a security system, because i’d feel safer. Nobody understands how scared I actually am of somebody breaking in. Day or night, when i’m home alone i’m scared. I always asked my parents to take me target shooting because I thought that if I got a basic understanding on how to use a gun, that I wouldn’t be as scared… Which has only helped a little bit. I usually have a switchblade with me (I learned from Durarara) so that does make me feel safer. I believe that once I move away from my parents house, I would want to get a small apartment because I’d feel safer in one. I don’t like having this phobia, i’m constantly scared at night.
Jenna says
I was looking for the name of my fear/phobia. It seems like Scelerophobia might be it, along with Catastrophobia(disasters), Thanatophobia(death), Atychiphobia(failure), Phobophobia(fear) and Bathophobia(depths). The crime one might be the main cause of most of my phobias. I cannot call them just ‘fears’. It is pure anxiety I experience when even the thought of these go through my mind. Reading about it, made me lightheaded and kind of shaky… I avoid negative news. News of crime sends me into blind panic. I just want to emigrate, but I can’t. It costs too much. I don’t want to send my kid to school because it’s dangerous ‘out there’. I am plagued by thoughts of suicide, and just killing my whole family to avoid them being killed in front of me, or them seeing me be killed. I hate feeling like this all the time. I am on meds for bipolar II, but I am scared to drink the pills that make me sleep, because I might not wake up when something happens. This is not the way to live life. There is no quality to being scared all the time.
Lisa McGraw says
I am 57 yrs old and have lived with this phobia since I was 5 yrs old. I can remember being so scared that a burglar or just a mean man would crawl through my window and kidnap me or any one in my family. My dad always was scaring us with his behavior so we were taught to be scared of the dark. This article was so helpful! Thank You, Lisa McGraw.
C says
I’m afraid to sleep at night, because I fear for my family. I sleep with my keys and phone. I cry myself to sleep because I hate falling asleep. Every noise or sound disturbs me. No one I know understands this. I have my dogs near me and I still question if they will rise if something makes a noise or if someone comes near my family. I used to fall asleep a little when the sun would rise. Yet now it’s difficult because I have to wake up early. I try to tell my family yet they do not understand. I just wish I could lay down without a worry. Feel safe and secure and not worry about the doors or sounds. I wish my house was better secured or the dread of something happening would just stop. Anyone?
Viola says
I have a pretty bad scelerophobia, but I’m too scared to tell my parents because they would just judge me. Scelerophobia has been with me since I was about 3 or 4… I don’t have any trauma for example of a break in. My biggest fear is a break in or weird people on the streets, I sometimes even have panic attacks when I’m home alone. I told my friends about it but they just laughed and said only 5 year olds fear break ins and stuff :( I don’t know what to do!
DeniX says
hi even though i’m a 16 year old teenager, i have a big fear of a break in. i am scared of someone breaking in at day and night. when i’m home alone i lock all doors and just get my 2 knives that i keep under my pillow for safety and wait for my parents to come home. at day i’m not that scared so i can listen to some music and play games with headphones. at night, i’m scared and i barely sleep (even though my parents are in the room next to me) so i just lay in my bed and try to sleep, if i hear some noises i get my knives and sweat like i ran a Marathon… i wish i can somehow beat this fear, if you know a way please help me.
Kat says
I’m 26 and still live with my parents. We’re in a nice neighbourhood but when I’m by myself I still feel terrified that someone will break in. In all the years I’ve been by myself (10 years) nothing has ever happened but that knowledge is of little comfort. In order to feel somewhat at peace when I’m by myself I have to have some sort of weapon by me at all times. I don’t like to sleep at night, so I stay up and sleep when it’s light. It just really annoys me feeling like this.
MrScared says
I’m afraid to go outside, almost got stabbed and ppl tried to rob me so many times, the fear of going outside doesn’t let me socialize and keep going with my life, it’s been a year since i went outside alone …
Private says
I am terrified of being murdered, raped, or assaulted when I am alone, or in bed. I don’t get as much sleep as I used to and I literally keep a baseball bat next to my bed just in case… I’m not even 15
Anon says
I feel like that but instead of a baseball bat I always cover my neck every time I get scared
anna says
I can’t sleep at night. The slightest sounds wake me, alerts me… i start hyperventilating… i fear someone would break into my house.. rob me, assault me and kill me and my kids. I cannot sleep at hotels.. i fear someone is hiding somewhere and would come out at night. I cannot ride a taxi in a foreign country without a gps in my hands, because i fear that he would take me somewhere else. I can’t walk on empty, or slightly quiet roads no matter what time of the day it is, because i fear i will be mugged, or kidnapped and killed. These fears are getting stronger day by day and i am tired of feeling scared all the time. I know its happening because i hear about a lot of crimes happening around me every day. And i also try to ignore them by distracting my thoughts… but they come back. I can’t live like this…
Katie says
I am afraid of seeing people in my house, or stepping out of the shower and my family is dead, getting robbed, getting murdered, being watched/prayed on. When I feel like this I usually start hyperventilating and shaking and I do not know how to get over it.
Skye says
Hello, I am using this article for a paper and need to know the date this article was last updated. This would be of great help.
Thanks Skye
Ps, Great site, very helpful, will be bookmarking for further research during my Psychology studies. :)
Jacob says
Hi Skye
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you find it useful.
This article was last updated on May 18, 2014.