Arithmophobia or Numerophobia is the exaggerated, constant and often irrational fear of numbers. The words Arithmophobia and Numerophobia both have Latin/Greek origins where the root word stands for numbers, and phobos is Greek for “deep aversion or fear”.
Many people from all over the world fear numbers. Some might specifically fear numbers such as 13 (Triskaidekaphobia), 666 (Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia), or 8 (Octophobia) which are typically associated with Bad Luck, evil spirits etc. Such phobias usually have cultural or religious roots that are often aggravated by media and folklore.
However, an Arithmophobic (or Numerophobic) individual might fear all kinds of numbers, especially complex mathematical computations. Just the thought of solving a difficult arithmetic equation in school or doing calculations in day-to-day life could cause intense panic in the sufferer. Needles to say, the fear of numbers can place many restrictions on the phobic’s life and may even affect his standard of living. S/he often feels embarrassed to admit the problem causing one to become socially withdrawn.
Causes of fear of numbers phobia
Many experts believe that the fear of numbers might have its roots in Universal beginnings when man first started keeping time, maintaining calendars and using numerical systems. The early Egyptians, for example were the first to measure time using the solar calendar. Still other cultures marked seasons and days based upon the lunar calendars. The concept of zero was given by Hindu scholar Aryabhatta. This further gave rise to the fact that numbers are infinite and never ending. Gradually, with sophisticated learning systems, man started keeping time not just on observations of heavenly phenomenon but on numerical calculations and chronology. This emphasized the fact that numbers and time were complex, unknown, varying and often difficult to grasp.
Just like other phobias have their origin in traumatic events, the root cause of Arithmophobia might also lie in a negative experience in one’s past. Failing or doing poorly in Math at school could lead to a permanent fear of numbers. Having been the subject of ridicule, being spanked, scolded, bullied for not having done well in math exam could also trigger Numerophobia. Parents might unknowingly instill the fear of numbers in children. Statements like: “Math is hard, you will fail if you do not study” can also cause a child to fear numbers.
Hereditary, genetic factors and brain chemistry can sometimes lead to this phobia.
Also, as stated before, specific number phobias like the fear of number 13 or 666 etc could be fuelled by cultural or religious beliefs or even TV shows and movies about them.
Symptoms of Numerophobia
Typical symptoms of Numerophobia include:
- Avoidance behavior– A child with Numerophobia might cry or scream at the thought of going to school (Didaskaleinophobia). S/he is often unable to express these fears leading to wrongful diagnosis of cause of this anxiety. Adults having Arithmophobia might also try finding ways of avoiding numbers. This might affect them in their career or personal lives. Often they might be embarrassed about their problem. They might lie or cover up their inability to deal with the issue, leading to strained relationships.
- Some tend to fear numbers so much that it leads to a full blown anxiety attack– sweating profusely, feeling like running away or hiding, having elevated heart beat, breathing rapidly are some signs. The phobic also feels detached from reality- s/he might experience a dry mouth, feel numbness or confusion, or may be unable to express one’s thoughts clearly.
- Often the phobic might be able to work with numbers, but might experience deep anxiety while doing so.
Arithmophobia often causes the phobic to obsess over numbers. Encountering numbers on the calendar or telephone (or in notes having written dates) can overwhelm the phobic. Shopping in grocery stores where one has to add up the prices of items, or tipping in restaurants might be a difficult job for the phobic.
Overcoming Arithmophobia
There are many therapies available today to help you overcome the fear of numbers. These are fast and reliable methods which include a combination of drugs and psychotherapy. Naturally, drugs are the last line of treatment as not only are they habit forming but also full of side effects. However, in case of extreme anxiety that is affecting school life or work, mild anti-depressants can help. Naturally, the aim of such treatment should be to slowly reduce the dependence on the medication and reach a stage where one can avoid a panic response at the sight or thought of numbers.
Many treatment options, particularly Neuro Linguistic programming therapy can be utilized for overcoming this phobia. This therapy helps reprogram the brain’s response to numbers and increase one’s confidence while working with them.
Gradual exposure therapy with help of a trained practitioner can also help one overcome Arithmophobia. This includes looking at numbers, thinking about them and then progressing to solving simple to complex numerical computations.
Counseling, talk therapy and hypnotherapy are some other proven remedies for overcoming Numerophobia.
Sanjay says
One fine day i slept around 11:00 Pm. I dreamt that any numbers are infinite numbers to calculate. I was afraid and slept awake, still my brain was thinking about it and I’ve been feeling the need to walk around and being confused. Then I told my mom and she did a prayer for me and slept behind me. Then I did not feel it again. My age is 14 and I’m an expert in maths, but why did I have this dream?
Karishma James says
Hi Sanjay. As you mentioned that you are good at numbers, and you probably came across this article about numerophobia before the dream/bedtime. The very thought of you being good at it and learning about that fear of number existed, got you overwhelmed. So, to keep up, your passive consciousness had to combat to give you the conviction, that you do not have any fear of numbers/calculations. And seeing your mother beside you, brought you back to the reality, on to a lower stage of sleep into consciousness.
Karishma James says
Which eventually made you feel better.
DianeMcGraw says
Is there a phobia name for the fear of having nothing to read. If so I need the correct spelling because I want to have a T-shirt made for a friend.
Hitesh says
I don’t know it it’s fear or something else. I have a habit since childhood to repeat things (events, situations, whatever you call it) for a specific number, mostly even. I don’t wanna explain what events, but when i try to ignore that then i feel like something is not going right.
Charlene says
So I’m afraid of the number 15 because of the character I hate the most and his birthday is the same as mine (August 15). I used to love this number and now I’m really creeped out like “August the 15th” is my Friday the 13th.
Autumn says
I always thought I was alone in the universe with this problem, I’ve never met anyone else who had it until now. Still I am here fearing numbers and living day to day avoiding them at all costs since I was a kid, now I’m pushing 40, no diploma, no GED, no skills of any kind because I was always too afraid of numbers, of solving them, of people’s reactions when they found out about my fear, Hell I’ve been laughed at countless times, criticized, ridiculed, obviously not a very impressive speller either lol. It’s been this way my whole life. But what can I do about it? What could I possibly do now that my life is half over.
Gabriel says
I have never experienced Arithmophobia in the real world, heck I really like Math. I will always get at least an A for Math and was a keen student in class. But the phobia starts when I’m dreaming, especially when I’m very sick. The dream will always start with me going into rooms solving math equations, multiplying number by number until the digits were more than 10. And then after being stuck on this weird fever dream, the numbers gave me consistent dread upon my head, the numbers had become so infinite and was so hard to count, it was like seeing an incomprehensive being, something out of a Lovecraftian horror, like a heavenly being humans call God. That night was very weird as I didn’t remember most parts, my mom told me I actually ran out to the porch unconsciously screaming “I AM GOD” to the whole neighborhood at midnight. I didn’t know what had driven me to say that, I can only assume that I have computed and defined what ‘infinity’ means and how I have seen it’s true form.
Edwrd says
EXACTLY, I keep having this dream or memory or something of me multiplying numbers until I lose my focus. This always happens when I’m sick, too.
Tajae Williams says
I really need to get rid of this fear for mathematics
flowerinapot says
For many years up until now (I’m in my last year of high school) I’ve always had problems with math. I would always ask repeatedly for problems to be explained but the teacher and class would get pissed. Slowly I have stopped asking for help, and as I progressed in school, the basic things I needed to get through high school would haunt me as I never admitted that I didn’t understand. My teachers all seemed to give up on me and sometimes ignored me in class. I avoid going up to the board because of my fear and anxiety, being in front of the class made me want to scream as they would yell how could I not get that right, that number was supposed to be here and not there, etc. Soon I began to have extreme anxiety and piercing pains in my chest during my math classes and the teacher would still ignore me. One time I yelled in pain with her by my side ( which never happens because I have a high pain tolerance) and she thought I was being dramatic. In class I would panic when I am told to solve a problem, and would simply wait for the answer to copy it down. I would later open my book filled with numbers, panic and close it. I was too embarrassed to admit that I had such a ridiculous fear. What makes it worse is that most jobs require a pass in math and everyone keeps shoving down my throat that I’m ruining my future. I just don’t get it, and nobody else around me does.
Liz says
I relate so much to this.
I never knew what was wrong with me until this semester (I’m in college now, not out of choice, but because I have to) I had to take a math class. The first half of the semester was basically logic puzzles, and there were no numbers and I breezed through it. Then they started adding numbers to the equations, and I cant even Express how I feel about it with words. I have to go to class in a little bit and I’m freaking out!
Daniel Moon says
I felt the same way when I was in school. And still do now. I’ll be 30 in December and I have a job as a mechanic. Even at work it’s hard for me to deal with numbers and measurements. I panic when I see them. I thought it was just because of my anxiety but I didn’t analyze it until now. Back in school before I even knew what anxiety was, I noticed that every time the teacher would give out a test, I would immediately get the urge to go to the bathroom. My body was trying to make me run from it. As I get older, I still try to find ways to cope with it. But I fear for my future and my financial security. How am I supposed to save money when I can’t deal with numbers? I just thought I was alone until I went searching for answers today.
Linda says
I’m so sorry to hear this, reading your description is as if it is myself. I’m 62 now and panic. I avoid and used to get in the class room cupboard during the maths lesson. The teacher knew and just left me there! However I hide my anxiety through messing about and being the joker. I would laugh my way through life saying I had not got enough gray matter! Using this strategy I managed to hold down a very important job in social care. I have learnt to come clean with my issues, and offer to write extra reports for others in turn for them doing the number work required. By being honest and building positive relationships has supported myself in holding down a professional job. I do hope this will help others.
Eva Hasette says
I have fear of numbers myself. I remember my first time. For me it was a sub teacher who yelled at me. I was 7 and trying to subtract in front of all the class. I knew how but she wanted me to hurry. I froze when she yelled and I never recovered. I still remember her face and I am old already. Trauma does that. But God Almighty takes all fear away and has given me peace.
Save the Grace says
Yup I have this. And I can tell you where it came from.
Traumatic experience = speed drills.
60 equations in 60 seconds is a lot of pressure on a child of seven, eight, nine years old. And not all young minds work those problems the same way.
Now every equation becomes a panic episode, a timed event that sends me into a spiral.
Numbers on their own are okay. But if I have to do math at all, it’s an issue. I can’t even read an analogue clock without panicking
John Ingle says
I relate to a lot of these symptoms but my fear is so bad because everything changes to numbers. When I read, the words change to numbers and they are in different colors. If the words change to numbers that cause extreme panic in me I have to figure out a way to change them. I will do whatever it takes to change them even if it’s bad or morally wrong. I can’t figure it out and it’s scaring the hell out of me. A 40 year old should not be this afraid of something so small but my brain makes it so big that it is starting to control my life.
Kate says
I never knew about the name of my fear with numbers until a few months ago and I only read about it in a huge list of phobias (never explained). I literally broke down in tears after I looked it up.
I’m 31 years old and spent 90% of my life being told I’m not smart enough.
My entire school career I struggled (and that’s an understatement) I was labeled a “space case” as in ADD, I was never hyper active so teachers never took note of my difficulties until I started to “blank” when I had tests, mainly math test. It’s not because I was being stubborn or rebellious, it was the fact that I had no idea how to do the work.
During lessons I would raise my hand and ask to repeat the question, and my teachers would sigh and impatiently answer me with “I’ve already explained the equation, pay attention!”
This may have been the start of my fear of numbers as the teachers responses became more and more critical over the years. Well u see as math became more difficult, the teachers became more impatient as I’ve “should have known this last year” (a direct quote from my 10th grade teacher). But it seemed that I would slip by with a failing grade. It seemed that no one wanted to spend the time to teach me the lesson in a slightly different way or to do any one-on-one. Experiences like this has made me very self-conscious and extraordinarily nervous whenever I am confronted with a math equation.
I apologize for the long story but after reading about the definition I finally feel ok with myself.
Thank u for posting this:)
Shakira says
Kate ,im so sorry for your school career. At least now you know that you are not crazy. Thank you for posting this we all appreciate it
Sharon says
I am so glad to see this is an actual thing! I suffered that most of my life. It has not been until this past year that i have slowly started to try overcoming it. People would tell me I was lazy or stupid for not trying but I could not express the feeling. I knew I would get anxiety/panic attacks to the point of having to leave immediately to be alone. I would tell people what would happen but they didn’t believe me. Others who knew of my fear would throw math problems at me and laugh while I ignored them to control my panic attack. I haven’t been diagnosed but this completely describes my case. I finally feel like I’m not crazy.
Randall says
For Jesus said, “lay down thine numbers child, for I will add them for thee.”
GG says
I believe this, the Word says all things are possible to them who believe.
Olaniran, I believe, I don’t know what your fear is, mine is math stemming from childhood trauma.
I have the mind of Christ, all things are possible for me.
I believe if you search the word your answer will be found. God did not give us a spirit of fear, guess who did?
olaniran king says
The lord said fear not for I am with thee, he can erase your fears.