Panophobia or the fear of everything phobia might sound bizarre, but it does exist in the list of non-specific phobias. It is known by other names like Omniphobia or Pantophobia. Panto stands for ‘all or everything’ in the Greek language. The word ‘Panophobia’ also might have originated from The Greek God Pan. (This deity is believed to cause feelings of panic or anxiety.)
Panophobes or Panophobics, as they are known, tend to suffer from one or more different kinds of phobias which we have covered on this website. They remain in a constant state of fear believing there is ‘persistent evil’ or ‘something terrible about to happen’. Naturally, having this condition can be detrimental to one’s success and can deeply impact one’s day-to-day life.
Causes of Panophobia
As mentioned before, Panophobia can be triggered by several other phobias. The intense anxiety or fear that something terrible is about to happen can be triggered by negative news, events or traumatic episodes in the past. The person might actually turn into a Phobophobic individual, where s/he might fear anxiety itself. This becomes a vicious circle as the Panophobe believes that his/her condition can turn into something worse, thereby intensifying the symptoms of all other phobias.
Often the causes of Panophobia or fear of everything are difficult to trace, since the Panophobe cannot remember how it all started. Nobody is born with this phobia; the brain just learns to fear everything negative or that which it perceives as ‘being dangerous’.
The fear of everything phobia can be different for different people, but it generally increases over time. The sufferer can end up with hundreds of phobias thus making him afraid of intangible or tangible items or situations.
Symptoms of Fear of everything phobia
A person suffering from Panophobia can appear socially withdrawn, anxious and afraid all the time. S/he might stay away from events and interactions.
There are various physical and psychological symptoms accompanying the phobia:
- Dizziness or fainting
- Heart palpitations
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Avoidance behavior
- Goosebumps
- Crying, screaming
- Depression
These sufferers also experience an adrenalin rush all the time as they are constantly on the alert. This may be followed by a period of fatigue or ‘crash’ that leaves him/her drained.
Overcoming Panophobia
There is good news for those suffering from Panophobia. It is a curable condition and many therapies like Hypnotherapy, gradual desensitization etc are known to help.
- Most therapists use Gradual desensitization to slowly re-introduce the phobic to objects or situations s/he is afraid of. When done in a controlled environment, the phobic gradually learns to dispel his fears. S/he also learns to rationalize fearful or anxious thoughts into positive ones.
- In other extreme methods, the Panophobe is given adrenalin boost and then guided through the fear response caused by a particular situation. This helps the phobic avoid the “fight or flight” response that his mind is constantly attuned to on account of perceived “danger all around”.
- Energy therapies like mind-body Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, positive visualization or affirmations are also encouraged as part of the overall therapy for treating Panophobia.
- Neuro Linguistic Programming is another beneficial therapy that can help the Phobic become more aware of how the brain creates reality. This can help the Panophobe overcome the preconceived notions.
As a part of these therapies, the phobic should also try and convince the mind to look behind the logic of issues; doing so can be very beneficial in working through one’s Panophobia.
Kay says
I am afraid of everything. It happened a little after my husband passed away. I moved to a new home, and this irrational fear started. It started when I felt there was a presence of something evil. I could not sleep and had to start taking a benzo to go to sleep. But I had to have the Tv and light on also. I could not leave the house because of the fear of impending doom I always felt. It’s gotten better in the past few years, but my personality has changed drastically. I’m no longer social or even talk that much. I’m withdrawn and avoid people and everything else in life. It’s just really sad and frustrating.
Anonymous says
I’m not scared of everything, but I’m scared of enough things that I will come across something that scares me at least 5 times a day. Is this still panophobia or is it just having a bunch of phobias?
Nah says
Omg. I know this is bad but I am so happy that I am not the only one with this. In some way all these comments made me feel better. I cannot be on a floor level on my own for more than 5 minutes, I can’t stay in the dark, I can barely shower and at some point I even had to sleep in the same room as my brother for 3 years straight. This phobia made me feel alone for so long but I feel a bit better now.
Deirdre Elias says
I have a fear of going places by myself. I can’t follow directions. I am afraid I will turn the wrong way and hurt someone. I am afraid of going out in the dark and people I love dying. I have spent over a year in the house only going out 3 times. I suffer from depression. (MDD) Major Depressive Disorder.
Raveena says
I know someone who is afraid of everything like animals, insects, bugs, butterflies, height, depth, water bodies, rides in amusement parks, even 3d pictures. What is this called?
sanjana Konwar says
Hi. I’m tired of this thing. I feel like there is something or someone who wants to harm me. I feel afraid to go to the bathroom alone. I feel afraid at night. I am even scared of being in my room alone. When I try to meditate and close my eyes, I feel some energy trying to come near me. I feel hot and stressed and I’m trying to run away. I feel afraid at the smallest sound I hear.
Vaishnavi Verma says
This is exactly what happens to me too.
Irene Yong says
Me too, I am afraid of everything. I suspect I have this Panophobia. I am afraid of animals, fast-moving vehicles, taking a plane, dental treatment, swollen medicine pills. I am scared of many things in my daily life. I have bad moods and depression sometimes. Anyone, please help. Thanks.
Vishal says
I have a different situation of fear of everything. I repeat the things I do like I turn on and off switch multiple times, if I had to put a book on the table I pick and put it multiple times. When I walk I look at the ground continuously. I have a fear of looking myself in the mirror and also fear of cameras (like I don’t wanna take my pictures). I don’t know if anyone have the same problems as me. I would really appreciate any help because this fear is killing me slowly.
Yogi says
I think that might be OCD, look into it to see if you have it. And if you do have the same symptoms I would recommend talking to a doctor or a professional about it.
Claudette says
It’s a real illness and it’s crippling, exhausting and isolating and definitely not a joking matter.
cAIQUE says
which person with panophobia literally can’t function absolutely any time at all (while Megan can’t function most not all of the time)
Essay Mafia says
Hi,
People who are facing too many fears at a time need to try to think positive and your positive assumptions will help you just ignore the fear of everything and think about what you love to do.
mr gps says
Hey I have panophobia and the same time I can see horror films, documentaries, but eat less and control several of my fears. I have semiphobia.
Shannon says
Yep, I have panophobia also…. I’m consistently afraid of everything…. I’m terrified to sleep sometimes….. I can feel something bad’s gonna happen at any time, anywhere…… I mostly am terrified of leaving my house because strange things happen in the outside world that scare me…. I’m also sick and tired of being made fun of because of my fears…….just, hmm….I wish I could get over these fears but it feels like it’s impossible….
Richard Willis says
Im exactly the same! Push bikes on the pavement send me off my trolley! Then i worry about myself and i get worse. On a bad day i shout at myself for losing the plot and off i go again worrying, non-stop! RICHARD.
Latrice says
I’m that same way, people say you’re so scared of everything… I really hate that I’m like this… smh
Jannah Vincent Loves Pandas says
did you make one about the fear of big spaces?
Jordan says
I’m literally scared of everything I can’t walk anywhere in my house without looking behind me I can’t watch horror movies they scare me for weeks
Camila says
Me too I’m scared of everything but fight hard not be. I got this when I was very little around 13 and now I’m 37. And I still fear everything.
Shouvik says
I have this all time fear feeling, it was there since childhood but I kept thinking that I would overcome it, now I am 32 and unable to find any way to move on. I am very much scared of people, I can’t do anything except sitting idle at home. I feel depressed by seeing people and try to run away from everywhere. Please help me urgently.
Karen says
I had this. I went to a Christian counselor. I was put on medication. That was when I was 27. I am now 69. I still have bouts of anxiety but, nothing like it was. I think a lot of mine was from childhood experiences. We all have different stories.
andrew says
good for me i dont have panophobia
though but I have trypophobia
student15 says
I have to do a report on this phobia, I have to find the statistics of it.. any help? I’m 15.
Julia Miller says
look it up that is what I’m doing for my report, and so its been going pretty good, I’m 11.
cAIQUE says
what is a panophobia report
Sachin says
I have fear of sound, smell, anxiety problem.. because of these phobias i go in depression. Please help me get out these phobias, because of this im not able to do anything.. i want to live like other people.
cAIQUE says
this isn’t panophobia this is acousticophobia, osmophobia. anxiety problems
Richard Willis says
Im exactly the same! Please help me too! RICH.
Sebastian Wehrmeyer says
I have dumbassaphobia (fear of stupidity).
Sunny Johnson says
same boy same
Eloisa says
that is a real fear but you spelled it wrong
Martha says
I have a fear of podophobia. This is the fear of feet. They disgust me. Please wear closed toe shoes. Refrain from saying “feet” “toes” or looking at my feet. I hate feet. Stop. Let’s work together to stop feet. Thank you.
Theo says
I feel so bad for you, although I did think it was a bit more extreme, no offence. I don’t have a phobia that I know of so hopefully you don’t have a bad life.
Megan says
I have panophobia extremely bad, and I literally can not function most of the time. I can barely leave the house, I can barely go to school (I actually have to redo my junior year because I just never went), I constantly fear my mom is just going to die if I’m not with her, I can barely talk to people, I certainly can’t sleep. I could go on for hours. This sucks.
Rayanna says
I have it too but not super extreme but i can’t sleep or use most bathrooms. It’s hard to shower alone also. I’m 11.
xxnonamexx says
I have it and it can be really scary sometimes and i also can’t shower alone cause i get anxious. I usually just shower with my shower door open or something like that. And i can panic really bad. I went to see a psychologist but it didn’t really help much.
Jelly says
I suffer from Emetophobia and fear of having diarrhea.
cat says
Why did you tell us that, like I have kinemortophobia fear of zombies
Abida Hamimi says
I’m afraid of everything.
david says
How big a percentage of people in the world are having this?
david says
Abida hamimi, even if you shout at other people and family because you didn’t like something, do you get afraid and think they will kill you? And also, do you get afraid if you shout at other people and family for a good reason do you think that they will kill you? Sorry for the long and weird question.
Sarah says
I’m afraid of heights insects and dead stuff and there is a lot of things that I’m scared of.
Sarah says
I have always been scared of poop. I’ve been afraid of animal poop and also human poop but not my own. I know that’s what everyone does. I’m even scared to go horse back riding because of seeing the horses pooping a lot and boy they can poop and those turds are huge and every time I think of it I think I will have to be sick to my stomach.