phobophobia

Definition

The fear of fear; the fear of developing a phobia.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) + -phobia, equivalent to phobo- + -phobia.

Example Sentences

• "When Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," he was describing phobophobia -- the fear of being afraid."
• "In particular, the rulemakers – here judges who craft free speech doctrine – may themselves display a pathological fear of succumbing to pathological fear, a kind of phobophobia."