Who is at risk of chronophobia?

Who is at risk of chronophobia?

Some people are more likely to have chronophobia. Your risk is higher if you:

• Are elderly or ill: People who are older and those with terminal medical conditions can be overcome with worry about nearing the end of life. They can become obsessed with the number of days they have to live, causing extreme anxiety.
• Are in prison: Chronophobia is more common among people who are incarcerated. Healthcare providers call this condition “prison neurosis.” Inmates, especially those serving a long sentence, can become obsessed with time passing. They may feel like time is moving too slowly or too quickly, and they often count down the days until their release. They may also feel claustrophobic while they’re in prison.
• Had a traumatic experience: Some people get chronophobia following a natural disaster, near-death experience or other traumatic event. They may develop the condition as part of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Healthcare providers saw many people with chronophobia after quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic. They became obsessed with tracking time or felt as if they didn’t have any control over the passage of time.
• Have a history of mental illness: People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a history of panic attacks or panic disorder or other phobias are at a higher risk. You also have an increased risk of a phobia if you have depression or substance abuse disorder.