monophobia

[ mon-uh-foh-bee-uh ]

noun

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of being alone.

monophobia

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. a strong fear of being alone

Derived Forms

• ˌmonoˈphobic, adjective

Other Words From

• mon·o·pho·bic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monophobia¹

First recorded in 1880–85; mono- + -phobia

Example Sentences

Mvula’s 2016 album, “The Dreaming Room,” grappled with, among other things, the end of her marriage and her bouts of depression and panic attacks; she suffered from monophobia, fear of being alone.

From New York Times

For years he's been open about his struggles with stress, anxiety and depression, as well as acute psychological conditions such as dissociative identity disorder, agoraphobia and monophobia.

From BBC

Yet, as Matthew Parris pointed out in a recent column, there is a pervasive and barely mentioned culture of “monophobia”– a widespread “assumption that we can only find contentment in a couple” which, he argued, “has become a tyranny that needs to be challenged”.

From The Guardian

Monophobia, mon-ō-fō′bi-a, n. morbid dread of being left alone.

From Project Gutenberg

And cursed with monophobia, none the less This Lowell lived alone there near LeRoy, Surrounded by his servants, at his desk A secretary named McGill, who took Such letters, editorials as he spoke.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Monophobia

What does monophobia mean?

Monophobia is the abnormal fear of being alone.

Some people have phobias, which are ”fears associated with specific objects or activities.” These abnormal (unusual) fears are typically considered irrational (not based on reason) because the object of the fear isn’t usually harmful. Often, these fears are formed around a traumatic event.

Monophobia is different from separation anxiety, but the two are sometimes discussed alongside each other.

Example: My monophobia makes it difficult for me to take trips alone.

Where does monophobia come from?

The first record of the word monophobia in English comes from the late 1800s. It is made up of the root mono-, meaning “single” or “alone,” and -phobia, from a Greek word meaning “fear.” It follows the same pattern as many words for specific phobias, such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders).

Monophobia is characterized by feelings of fear and anxiety about being alone. This can happen even if there are people somewhat nearby, perhaps even in the next room. Sometimes the fear is based on the possibility that something bad will happen when one is alone.

Separation anxiety disorder may have similar symptoms, but is typically more severe.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of monophobia?

• monophobic (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with monophobia? 

• monologue
• monopoly
• claustrophobia
• arachnophobia

What are some words that often get used in discussing monophobia?

• alone
• fear
• psychology
• abnormal
• anxiety
• separation anxiety

How is monophobia used in real life?

Monophobia is most often used in a serious, clinical way, especially in discussions of psychological conditions.

I wish I could enjoy being home alone like other people do. I think I have monophobia.

— ⛅ (@SofieJetz) September 8, 2017

Despite today being absolute garbage, I was basically alone the past two or three days, but it did not affect me anywhere near as much as it should have or would have any other day.

I wonder if it's because my monophobia didn't trigger really or because something is fighting it.

— Iota-Nezaakah | TAP 🏳️‍⚧️ (@Nezaakah) January 25, 2020

If you didn't know, I have monophobia. I'm scared of being alone, both physically and emotionally, if that makes sense. I don't want to be alone in terms of people physically around me, and I don't want to feel alone.

— Pikmin B (@Pikminbosyk) January 13, 2020

 

Try using monophobia!

Is monophobia used correctly in the following sentence?

Some people like being alone, but when you have monophobia, it can cause crippling anxiety.