Autophobia is the specific phobia of isolation; a morbid fear of being egotistical, or a dread of being alone or isolated.[1] Sufferers need not be physically alone, but believe that they are being ignored, unloved, threatened by intruders, and so on.[2]
Autophobia also is used in its literal text to mean, "by oneself", an uncontrollable fear of oneself or ones potential capabilities.[citation needed] It is sometimes associated with self-hatred, or loathing. Autophobia may be a symptom of other psychological disorders or it may predispose a person to developing other psychological disorders.
Symptoms[edit]
People who suffer from autophobia may show symptoms but may not be fully aware that they suffer from it. Some symptoms of autophobia may include:
An uncontrollable anxiety of when one thinks of, or is exposed to, being alone.
A feeling that one must do everything he/she can to not be alone.
Inability to function or cope with being alone.
A need to have others close by.
Feelings of being unattached, fear of losing oneself, or losing one's own mind.[3]
Causes[edit]
Autophobia can be caused by the sufferer feeling abandoned by a close individual, such as a spouse or relative. The feelings of grief and loneliness that this causes become increasingly hard for the sufferer to move beyond over time.[4]