Atychiphobia: Fear of Failure

To some extent, we all have a fear of failure at some point in our life. Nobody wants to not succeed. It’s actually even normal (and common) to experience fear or apprehension about failing. 

That said, if you find you’re so afraid of failing at something that you can’t even try it, or if your fear is so paralyzing that it’s interfering in your daily life, you might be experiencing atychiphobia.

Atychiphobia can be defined as an abnormal, unwarranted, and persistent fear of failing at something in your life. Any mistake you make can lead to ultimate failure. This chronic fear can be so extreme that it negatively affects your life. 

We’ll explore symptoms and signs of the fear of failure phobia, and risk factors to be aware of. We’ll also discuss how a diagnosis is made and what treatment options are available. 

What is atychiphobia? Atychiphobia can be defined as an abnormal, unwarranted, and persistent fear of failing at something in your life. Any mistake you make can lead to ultimate failure. This chronic fear can be so extreme that it negatively affects your life. Atychiphobia affects an estimated 2 – 5% of the population. Symptoms of an irrational fear of failure can range from mild to extreme and can include:

• Rapid heart rate
• Difficulty or rapid breathing
• Tightness in the chest
• Pain in the chest
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Trembling sensations or shaking
• Digestive distress
• Sweating
• Hot and or cold flashes

While the above are all physical symptoms, there are also emotional symptoms that may present, including:

• Having an overwhelming feeling that you need to escape a situation you’re fearful of
• Having extreme feelings of anxiety or panic
• Feeling like you’re detached from yourself
• Thinking and believing you might die or pass out
• Having an intense feeling you’ve completely lost control
• Feeling powerless over your fear

Self-limiting is common for people with atychiphobia. This means you may be prone to sabotaging your own efforts to succeed. An example of this would be never beginning an important project, ensuring it fails, just so you don’t actually fail after completing it.

It can be difficult to put a finger on exactly why you’re experiencing an unnatural fear of failure. There are numerous risk factors for developing different phobias. You may be at higher risk for atychiphobia if you:

• Have perfectionistic tendencies
• Failed at important personal goals in the past
• Have a genetic predisposition to atychiphobia
• Have an eating disorder, mood disorder, or anxiety disorder
  

Through a process known as observational learning, you may also have a higher risk for atychiphobia if you were shaped in early life by someone who also had an intense fear of failure.

If you have a repetitive fear of failure that’s beginning to impact your daily life negatively, it could be atychiphobia. A doctor or therapist can help diagnose your symptoms and suggest possible treatment options.

When you seek help, you’ll be asked questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing, your family medical history, your personal, social, and psychiatric history, and any prescription or natural medications that you use routinely.

Some of the known criteria considered for a formal diagnosis of atychiphobia include whether you might:

• Avoid situations, people, and objects that might cause this specific phobia
• Experience excessive anxiety in routine fear-causing situations
• Have an immediate panic attack or strong fear response to moderate stimuli

Your family doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist, licensed therapist, or another mental health professional to make a formal diagnosis.