Father Time comes for us allhow afraid should we be?
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Chronophobia is characterized by the fear of the passage of time.
Specific phobias affect about 10% of adults in the US.
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Causes of Chronophobia
Some populations experience chronophobia, the fear of time, more than others.
Time becomes their enemy, and they fear that its passing will ultimately lead to their death.
That said, a phobia diagnosis typically requires that the fear be excessive or unreasonable.
In the case of illness, sadly, these fears may not always be unreasonable.
Symptoms
Chronophobia is marked by a sense ofderealizationin which time seems to speed up or slow down.
Some people develop circular thought patterns,racing thoughts, and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Prisoners often mark down the days until their release.
It is important to seek advice from a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible.
Chronophobia responds well to such standard phobia treatments as cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy.
In some cases, psychiatrists may prescribe medications, but psychotherapy remains the primary treatment for phobias.
More general anxiety and stress management techniques also exist that can help you deal with these kinds of fears.
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