The fear of crowds or Enochlophobia is known by different names such as Ochlophobia and Demophobia. As the name indicates, this phobia consists of an irrational fear of large crowds and gatherings of people. Enochlophobia is closely related to Agoraphobia (which is the fear of and desire to avoid situations wherein one believes s/he may be subjected to incapacitation, humiliation etc).
Causes of Enochlophobia
Enochlophobia is a common social phobia that is known to affect many people today. Women tend to be affected by it more than men.
Every case of Enochlophobia is different and depends on the thoughts, movies and images the individual associates the large crowds with. This is mainly due to different thinking patterns of each phobic. Thus, there is no one cause for the fear of crowds but most experts blame genetics, biochemical irregularities, stressful or traumatic life events and inaccurate beliefs for the fear of crowds.
An individual suffering from excessive fear of crowds finds the masses of people too noisy. As a result, s/he fears being unable to hear what one is supposed to hear. The individual feels his personal space may get violated by the crowd and he/she goes to great lengths to avoid crowds or free themselves from it. Typically, shy individuals or people who are unable to desensitize themselves from the emotions of people in the crowd are more likely to suffer from Enochlophobia.
Symptoms of Enochlophobia
Demophobes (as the people suffering from Enochlophobia are known) have various internal representations for their fear. Naturally the symptoms presented are different in each patient. These symptoms and signs are broadly characterized as physical, mental or emotional and may include:
- Mild anxiety which can turn to a full blown panic attack at the thought of seeing large crowds. The demophobic individual is likely to go to great lengths to avoid crowds and flee from it.
- Inability to function normally; cannot distinguish between reality and unreality.
- The feeling of not being able to breathe or being choked.
- Upset stomach, nausea, gastrointestinal distress etc. Increased heart rate, blood pressure are some other physical symptoms of this phobia.
- Shaking and trembling or excessive sweating are also likely in the phobic.
Many demophobic individuals are certain of being trampled or crushed by the crowds. They also fear catching germs or viruses due to close contact with sick people around them. The fear of getting lost, the insecurity of being surrounded by strangers and feeling small and insignificant in the crowds are a few of the thoughts in the minds of Enochlophobics.
Treatment for the fear of crowds
Self help is the best form of treatment for this phobia. Experts recommend the following practices to overcome one’s fear of crowds:
- Breathing deeply and focusing on the breath.
- Gradually desensitizing oneself: beginning with smaller events and increasing one’s comfort level so that one can slowly attend larger events comfortably.
- Having a close friend or family member along for support. This can help ease anxiety.
- To keep anxiety at bay, experts also recommend focusing on one person in the gathering/party. Talking to this person and focusing the mind on him can help the phobic keep the mind occupied and prevent negative thoughts.
Other than these self-help remedies, one can also seek professional help, counseling, talk therapy, group therapy, Hypnotherapy, behavior therapy or drugs for treating their fear of crowds phobia.
Michael Bateman says
I suffer from this as one of the many parts of C-PTSD. But tomorrow may be a better day. I keep telling myself that one day I will be right. Until then just give me space. Stay safe, stay strong.
Serina Amato says
I have this phobia and even a family-get-together gives me a panic attack. When I was 5 years old, my family was over for dinner and we did karaoke. My parents told me to go up there, and when I faced the crowd, I had a literal panic attack.
hanna says
I have this phobia of crowds but it’s unpredictable. Sometimes everything just passes smoothly, even if I am in public places like hospitals, but sometimes even a family get-together is enough for getting me extremely nervous and I just can’t explain why. I start itching on my hands or cracking knuckles or just escape to get some air.
Cody says
I have this phobia, too. And, it is a little odd how it seems to be specific to certain types of circumstances. For example, I can go into a Walmart and spend an hour or two shopping for groceries, and the store can have many other people milling about – but this doesn’t seem to trigger the phobia. But, if I am compelled to attend a funeral service or a wedding, the fear kicks in very quickly, and I cannot wait to escape. I can’t remember a time in my life where I ever felt comfortable with being around large crowds of people. And, as I’ve gotten older, I feel less and less comfortable around crowds.
Katherine Bolman says
I’m really scared of crowds and people looking at me like they know something.
Ned S. says
Wow me too! I don’t know about you, but I start to walk funny, because my legs tend to “lock up” when I’m around people.
Pragani says
Somebody watching means I am not speaking and smiling at that time. I have nervous tics in the left side of the mouth that’s like twitching. When taking photos in crowded places I can’t smile. Otherwise I am ok. Please give a solution for that problem.
Dustin Byington says
My phobia is kinda weird, or so I’ve been told. Large crowds don’t bother me as long as my personal space isn’t violated. There could be millions of people around me and I’m fine, until they get too close. Confined spaces don’t bother me either. I’ve been in tunnels and mines, but as soon as someone or several people join me in those tighter areas, I panic. I also believe my phobia(s) are getting worse because I’m starting to avoid confined areas for fear of others following, and large crowds because of the prospect of getting crowded, and it takes less and less to set off a panic attack. I recently lost a job due to my refusal to enter certain areas of the building.
SB says
I’ve personally always called this “people-claustrophobia”; Although I don’t think I have it as bad as you do from your description, but I’ve always avoided or preferred to avoid anyone sitting next to me in places like concerts, restaurants, movies, in cars and other transportation like on buses and trains, etc. It even gets to the point where I will wait long amounts of time just standing around (despite being disabled and recommended to sit as much as possible), until the “right kind of seat” opens up! I’m sorry I can’t offer any help or advice though, because I’m actually a hermit and a happy one at that (in-so-far as avoiding outside stuff, at least) but I do wish you the best of luck finding a job that fits you better!
priyanka.p says
I’m 16 and i have had a phobia of crowds for the last 2 years. Whenever I’m in a crowd i cant breath properly, i feel like someone is holding my neck very tightly. When i’m with someone i don’t show how i’m feeling but when i’m alone i really feel better. Even my parents don’t know that i am a phobic person, i’m scared how they will react.
Esther says
I can’t stand in front of an audience, either to lead, read or present something. It’s really getting out of hands as people have started thinking I can’t speak. I will be shaking and my voice will be shaking too, in fact, all my body will be shaking as i get this unease in my stomach. Please what can I do. I have also been appointed as an interpreter in my church, and am even thinking of stopping attending to the church.
Anu says
Same here, also I was appointed as an interpreter in my church and I keep sweating all the time and my voice break.
Rich says
My 5 yr old son always get scared when he’s about to present on stage with a lot of people watching. Even when a few minutes before he actually performs. He’s ready and excited but when he’s about to step up the stage he freezes. What can I do to help him?
John B says
I dread the idea of office parties and drinking events like at the pub. A lot of people think I am antisocial but I am more than open to having a one on one in somewhere less chaotic. I can endure the issue longer if the event is very ordered and does not involve rowdy people.
Marion Wright says
I have a fear of crowded places and tight spaces, small spaces, enclosed spaces and also have moderate attacks following my panicky situation. I have had this since high school.
Darren Lee says
Hi I suffer from this fear ……. i am a singer i can perform to a big audience the amount of people doesn’t bother me.
its when i come off stage and people want to chat with me in the crowd …..i just cant do this i have to get out of there.
i cant go in a pub in case two or three people come over to me i need my own space.
its stopped me socialising …… but i do try now and again but i have to leave
C says
I can totally relate!!! I typically default to stand against a wall where I can at least see what’s coming at me. I have always jokingly told my friends that I have a 3 ft bubble and unless you’re invited in – don’t step into it. Large crowds and uncommon smells or foreign odours are the worst for me. I find that I either break down emotionally or get angry very quickly (but both are on the extreme)
Dustin Byington says
I have to tell people, if I can touch them, they’re too close.
Annette says
This sums me up completely. I regularly perform solos and am comfortable doing so but, standing in a choir surrounded by other choir members pushes me over the edge and I have to escape
Kate says
I’m so frightened by crowds ever since the Las Vegas shooting. I wasn’t there but I watched so much news coverage. I’m visiting New York City and I’m having intense panic attacks every time I go outside. I don’t know what to do. My friends think it’s funny that I’m so freaked out. It was better over the last year but my stepsisters go to college in Pittsburgh and the shooting this morning was right next to their campus (and he even hid on the campus after) so now the fear has resurfaced, crazier than ever. I feel nuts.
Kendall says
That’s the same with me! Ever since the Manchester attack and the many others that followed, I have an intense fear of going outside, especially to New Year’s Eve and my friends once tried to invite me to go to Mardi Gras with them and just the thought of it…
My friends don’t think it’s real but it really is overwhelming and I think of death every time.
I don’t feel safe anymore.
SJ says
I’m not afraid of people. I’m not afraid of crowded areas. I don’t get overwhelmed by lots of people talking or loud noises. I’m not a huge fan of people in my personal space but who is.
What I am afraid of is crowd crush. Absolutely, grade-a terrified. Being in an enclosed area with many other people makes me start to have panic-response symptoms. The people themselves are fine. It’s just that I start to think about what would happen if there was an event, like a fire or a shooting or something, that caused all of us to panic and try to escape the area at the same time. The bottlenecks, the jamming, the blocking of exits by mangled bodies… I’m sick just writing about it. I think about that shot in the Station Nightclub fire video, of the absolute wall of bodies piled up in front of the door. The Love Parade disaster, the Hillsborough disaster, the Heysel Stadium disaster, the Iroquois Theatre fire… The force of human bodies pressing together creating thousands of pounds of pressure…
So anyway, I’m not afraid of people. But on my daily commute home, stuck in the tunnel from one subway platform to another during rush hour, my fear responses are off the charts. When I get home I’m shaken, sweaty, nauseous, and exhausted. Being hyperaware of exits and crowd dynamics, knowing without a doubt that if anything were to happen I would die… Makes for a pretty lousy end of your day, huh?
Missy Miscelanious says
Oh thank goodness I’m not the only one! I am right there with you pal! Unfortunately, I work at McDonald’s and it’s crowded 70% of the time with only two exits at the front and back of the restaurant.
Ahmed says
I feel like this as well I hate gatherings and crowds, even when, I see my friends I always tell them that we should meet in one particular coffee shop cause it is less crowded. To even crown the whole I am a gay guy with certain feminine feautures that are considered in an arab country a bit eccentric.. I even hear comments from girls like oh look at his hair is way better than mine or blabla. I can’t pass without having people look at me.. even when it is a good look, I don’t feel comfortable let alone bad looks from homophobes. I can’t even enjoy walking alone. You might say why should I look in a certain way? I just can’t change me cause I’d feel that I am betraying myself.
Mo says
Im really suffering from this, I can’t even lead a song in church cause I can’t face the crowd, but when I back up im fine, im thinking I should just leave the choir cause I cant help shaking all the time im told to lead a song, I think I might just faint one day.
Jb_trent says
I haven’t been able to go into shopping stores without a ‘person’ with me in years. If I feel a panic attack coming on I get this weird rushed feeling inside and my head is screaming run. I don’t like when strangers come up to me in public. I don’t want to talk to people when I’m shopping. I’m already trying to not freak out over just being in the store. I don’t like people standing to close. Like in lines creeps me out. I don’t like to feel crowded. Like the lady pushing her shopping cart closer to me isn’t going to make the cashier go faster so why do people do this? Why are boundaries being broken? Not everyone feels the need to be 2 ft from your face. I got a service dog to help. My goal is to go into shops with just her for at least 50% of the time. She’s still in training and I am trying to get used to relying on her and not my person. And yes I do get approached because of her but I say she is working and I need to go. Wouldn’t have the courage before. Word of advice please don’t walk up to someone with a service dog and ask questions or try to distract the dog. So rude. Teach your children this as well.
Tom says
I start to sweat before an event that requires concentration on one speaker where you are required to be quiet such as in a church but only if I have to sit in the middle of a crowd or any row beyond the last one in the church. If the mass is crowded and I am late I will refuse to sit anywhere despite a broken back & torn knee cartilage. I would rather stand against a wall than sit with row upon row of people behind me. I do not know why. I also cannot sit in a classroom unless I am in the back row. I can sit in a theater because it is dark and loud but not as comfortable as I am outside. If I go to a stadium it takes me a long time to adjust to the size of a crowd and stop sweating despite the action of a game. I find myself getting very dizzy visually. I get vertigo and have trouble leaving once I am in the middle. I get a paralyzing feeling like do not get up. Everyone still sitting will wonder whats wrong with you & it becomes like a threat for me to try to leave. So it is a trapped feeling like claustrophobia, except with the embarrassment of leaving a place where people are seated for at least an hour. Each minute becomes a challenge for my mind & my body to keep from sweating and hyperventilating. So now I go to great lengths to find out about events before they happen so that I can arrange for seating that suits me. I do not know what I will do when my children get married. I have Xanax that helps but I might have to triple the dosage being up in front during the entire ceremony & also giving my daughters away. Also having to toast in front of the families & friends is something that freaks me out just thinking about. I suppose I will have to get sloshed
Tasha says
I suffer really badly with anxiety. I do tackle it but big crowds like concerts I can’t do, I really want to, and elevator stairs as well. I want to be normal again.
Pradeep Kumar Nayak says
I like peaceful gathering (Mass prayer, silent protest, intellectual meetings, watching dramas, cinemas in Halls) but I feel shaky to go to marriage parties, parties in hotel, social gatherings etc.
Pamela Barnes says
We are right to fear crowds. This is not an aberration but a sensible way to react. In early times, crowds could spell disaster for an individual without back-up. Why should crowd fearers be seen as the ones with the odd syndrome? It is an essential feeling to aid survival, not something to be treated as a mental weakness.
Lisa says
I agree. I am very, very sociable and confident which is confirmed by my family, friends and work colleagues. I love parties and meeting people and have no problems approaching strangers. However, crowds irritate me a lot – be it at shopping centers , sport/concert events etc. and avoid it whenever possible. The pushing/noise/shoving gets on my nerves ever since I remember. I think that this is a very normal reaction as a human being and not to be classified as having a ‘phobia’.
moms2398 says
I have always had an aversion to crowds. I really don’t like people standing too close, especially not at my back…just thinking about it makes my skin crawl and gets my defenses up. The full extent of my ochlophobia first presented itself when I got caught in a crowd that felt an ocean rip current of people at the Christmas Market in Stuttgart when I was 20. I had a full on panic attack, grabbed the back of my husband’s jacket and pleaded with him to get me out. When we got out, I was sweating, shaking, having a hard time catching my breath. I have avoided spaces I know will be crowded ever since.
In those moments that I get caught in a crowd, I focus on getting out and it helps keep my calm. My kids are extremely supportive and my daughter will position herself behind me and put her hand on my back while telling me that it is her, so I don’t feel attacked.
I have never felt the need to seek professional help for it because I simply stay away from things that are going to have crushing crowds. When I go to concerts, I get seats not on the floor. When I go to conventions, I get there early and have no problem navigating around crowds rather than through them. I go to the usually VERY crowded County Fair as soon as it opens and leave before dark when it gets crowded. I have developed coping mechanisms.
Danny says
I admire the ways you cope with your fears. My wife has been unable to cope. I am a retired minister my wife has quit attending church gatherings because she cannot cope with people. Thank you for your insights.
Sophie says
I find that I am okay if it is a crowd in an open space, but if it’s a bunch of people in one room, even if I know and am familiar with them all, I will start to freak out.
Mirror says
Been there done that. I usually have to put my headphones in and turn the music up especially when everyone is talking and my “friends” are trying to get me to socialize. Most people just don’t seem able to understand the feeling.
Jordyn Steele says
I agree, I’ve discovered that sound blocking headphones work the best.
Susan weldon says
That’s my problem also, it’s being enclosed with a crowd. I tend to travel with small airplanes and panic uncontrollably even with the thought of getting on a big plane which is full. I tend to wait until it’s less expensive to travel in business or premium economy.
Deborah Goforth says
Like you, with open spaces I don’t seem to have a problem but, it is in an enclosed space when a lot of people are talking. I never noticed this before I began having trouble with tinnitus and Vertigo. I have both problems and have realized only since then that when in enclosed spaces with many people talking my head begin to throb and I feel like I am in a compression chamber. Then I become anxious.
BB says
Ha, I only panic when there are people packed in, and it is chaotic. I’ve learned that if I have a purpose (get to the less crowded part of the room, find an exit, etc) then I can deal with the fear.
It’s still awful though, and I don’t know anyone personally who has the same thing happen. I think my issue is mainly the loss of control, it’s so unpredictable. That, and there’s just too much going on. Too much sensory input to deal with. Imagine you empathize to the point that you really feel what the other person is feeling.
Then stick that person in a chaotic crowd full of teenagers who are mostly frustrated, taller and louder than said person. Not fun.
If I do say so myself. ;)
Renee says
Yeah.. I feel like that too. I also really really don’t want or like other people in my personal space. I went to a school event and these complete strangers were touching me and they didn’t even say anything or seem to care. I started feeling dizzy, nauseous, sweating, angry, frustrated, and I felt like I was being smothered. I went where I knew there were less people and where I could sit and calm down and my son asked me if I was ok because I looked really pale and awful.. and I told him “no I’m not ok”. Thanks for sharing your thoughts..
Ria Cruz says
I also felt the same way.. whenever i really have to squeeze myself into a large crowd in order to leave a really big event that my family used to attend every single year.. whenever i lost sight of my family in this large crowd i lost control. I felt smothered, ill, dizzy or scandalized (by unintentional touch to my privates) i often scream, cry, shout or when im really irritated i say bad words to strangers squeezing me.. the thing is, they don’t care.. casting bewildered faces to me.. making me more ill and irritated.. but now i think i can overcome my anxiety by listening to music when making my way out.. but the another thing is GADGETS ARE ALWAYS NOT ALLOWED IN THIS EVENT.. this thing makes my anxiety even higher..
Athen says
Today at school there was a large group of people walking towards me and then they were everywhere around me and i started freaking out so i accidently screamed and then started crying on the floor. Of course then people started laughing at me and saying i need a mental hospital. So im pretty sure i have this phobia but im not sure if i have anxiety because i am often too scared to talk to people like teachers or cashiers in shops. plz help
Andrew says
I hope all you people get better
BB says
Well… Thank you? Haha, I realize you mean it in a kind way, it just sounds to me like: Wow, you guys have a problem. I don’t. Good luck guys!
Maybe little extreme, but I think you might find it amusing. ;)
Beverly says
I choose not to say, I have anxiety. I choose not to say that I fear crowds. I choose not to say that I have fear of elevators. I choose not to say that I have fear of open areas. I choose not to say that I have fear of something happening at any given moment. For if I did say that I HAVE of anything, I would claim that I HAVE. I do NOT claim any of these things. I, instead, say that I FEEL anxiety, in which, I do feel anxiety. I feel anxiety on a daily basis. Toward the end of 2009 and early 2010, I noticed that my mind was changing, that I began to feel that I was changing. Little did I know, the anxiety that I felt was trailing off to enochlophobia and agoraphobia. I was VERY irritable about every little thing. I fussed and yelled at everybody. I did not know what was trying to overtake me. To this day, I HAVE NOT allowed anxiety to get the best of me. Do you know why? It is because the DEVIL IS A LIAR!!!! I refuse to back down, to bow down, and to be trapped and imprisoned in my own mind. Nobody wants to die, we don’t have to unless our Heavenly Father says it’s time! Not when our minds say it’s time! I rebuke it! Anxiety will NOT stand and deliver me….or any of us! Fight it and pray about it. First, find the root of the anxiety and then once you have it…FOCUS ON IT! Take breaths as deep as the ocean can get. Stare that anxiety DOWN! until the anxiety becomes uncomfortable and LEAVES! Then, rest assured and get back to living a beautiful life.
We all feel anxiety to some sort. We feel anxiety when we cross a street or railroad tracks, we feel anxiety to get things completed (in our everyday tasks), we feel anxiety when we care for children, etc. It is normal to feel anxiety, it is just when anxiety gets out of hands and then tries to overtake our lives.
We want to enjoy our everyday lives and live as normal as possible. I feel anxiety when I ride in the vehicles with other people.Firstly, I hope that we don’t wreck and secondly, I was really ill about 5 years ago that began when I was in a vehicle, so when I ride in a vehicle with someone, I fear that it can happen again and around others to know to see me like that. (I had a job that was very stressful and I always tried to be an over achiever which caused me to become really sick. That was the worse sickness that I ever felt. When I am ill, I like to be totally alone).
All is well and live well. WE CAN AND WILL CONQUER THIS ANXIETY TOGETHER IN UNITY!
Taryn says
Nice speech, totally agree with staring the anxiety down and overpowering it.
Priyesh says
I have a phobia of crowds and traffic jams. I’m suffering from anxiety every day. I’m losing my confidence and desire of living life. Please tell me what to do. I have a baby, 18 months old, I don’t want to die…
J says
It is normal to feel some anxiety when it comes to traffic jams.
We are an impatient society.
I tend to talk positively to myself when I get into traffic. I slow down, and go with the flow. And remind myself that we’ll all get there when we get there.
When I’m in a crowd at a concert I remind myself to choose love over fear. Rather than thinking of something happening, like getting trampled. I remember that we’re all there to have a good time and hear some music. And that we all enjoy that music. That we are connected and not separate.
This is what I do.
But I also get Cognitive Behavior Therapy which I can’t recommend enough for anxiety.
Mindfulness, acceptance, letting the storm pass!
Mona says
This is good advice. I’ve been trying to do the same thing. By thinking of things you may have in common, it sort of humanizes the crowd and makes them more sympathetic. I also try to think about the positives of being in a crowd. I get extremely anxious on crowded buses, but then I imagine an emergency scenario in which I might need help — I know in a crowd at least a few people would show compassion and try to help. Crowds can be frightening, but they can also be safe.
SirLizard says
What works best for me, if I know that I’m going into a situation where I’ll be among a large crowd, is to arrive early and then the gradual arrival of others helps me to accept the transition, often without noticing it happening, as opposed to walking into a place that is already packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
BB says
That is an incredible idea. Thank you!
Sophie says
I have noticed that this helps me too, especially if you are on the outskirts of the group. But don’t get distracted by something like your phone, because if you don’t pay attention, then if you look up and all of a sudden there is a giant crowd, it won’t be good.
JD says
My therapist believes that my demo phobia comes from an incident when I was 4 when I got lost in the London Underground. Yesterday I went to the London Underground for the first time since then. I could not handle it, I had severe panic attacks. I’m 21 years old, 6 feet tall and well built but even thinking about being in a crowd reduces me to the level of a scared child.
Roger Tomlin says
The UK is the ideal place to breed Enochlophobia. 60 plus million people crammed into 94,000 sq miles. That’s twice the entire population of the five Scandinavia countries (470,000 sq miles) put together (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland). My mother always told me “Sheep flock together – Eagles fly alone”. Britain is a multicultural nightmare. Too much of everything, different nationalities, dogs, cars, cyclists, litter, dog-mess, prams, queues and huge gatherings to be avoided, e.g. football matches, marathons, music festivals, tourist attractions etc. But really, it’s just too many people everywhere! Wildlife and open spaces suffer as a consequence. Hell is other people!
Catherine says
I thought that I had claustrophobia but I talked it over with my Mum and we found that it was just the fear of crowds, so I did some research and found that I have Enochlophobia. Another symptom I have found is not wanting to ask to leave because of being scared of being rude, missing out on something I need to know and/or drawing attention. Thanks so much for writing about this and all the phobias, a lot people just think they are freaks! :)
Diane says
I experience panic attacks in large crowds. Last year I attended a large outdoor flea market. I carried my small dog with me. I walked in the crowded areas without a panic attack. In fact, it was when I was home that I realized my dog kept me calm. On a Saturday afternoon, my husband and I went to the mall (big mistake!). I did not have my dog with me. My panic attacks were so bad I could not wait to get out of there. To help me with my attacks, I have since made my dog into an Emotional Support Dog.
Jordon locke says
The same thing is with me as with you.