Autophobia is an intense and persistent fear of being alone or experiencing solitude. Individuals with this phobia may feel anxious even when they understand that solitude poses no actual danger to them. They might be concerned about feeling neglected or unloved, or they may fear intrusions, unfamiliar sounds, or potential health issues. Additionally, autophobia can manifest as an irrational and intense fear of oneself, without any logical basis. The term "autophobia" originates from the Greek words "autos," meaning self, and "phobos," meaning fear, thus literally translating to a fear of oneself. The prefix "autos" has led to many English words, including "automatic" (self-moving) and "autonomy" (self-governing), while "phobos" has contributed to numerous terms for various fears, such as "claustrophobia" (fear of enclosed spaces) and "acrophobia" (fear of heights).
