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Numerophobia

Numerophobia: (Psychology)

Numerophobia File:Edited Cover Photo 2.jpg
Other names	Math anxiety
Specialty	Psychiatry

Numerophobia, arithmophobia, or mathematics anxiety is an anxiety disorder involving fear of dealing with numbers or mathematics. Sometimes numerophobia refers to fear of particular numbers, but this is not always the case as many people fear forms of mathematics, or simply fear numbers themselves, no matter the form. Some people with this condition may be afraid of even numbers, odd numbers, unlucky numbers, and/or lucky numbers. Those with this phobia may have a hard time holding certain jobs, paying bills, or managing a budget.

While the concept of this phobia has had several studies done about it, the American Psychological Association (APA) does not actually recognize it as a phobia. The APA defines phobias as a persistent and irrational fear of a specific subject, object, or activity, and while the phobia falls into the right description of this, it does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Researchers are still looking into how phobias work and are formed, but there are growing amounts of studies on the subject.

Mathematics is a necessity in the current world. The number of careers that rely heavily on a solid mathematical basis is only increasing. This also increases pressure on students who struggle with math and understanding formulas. There is a lot of anxiety that can surround schools, and with stress, nervousness, and a plethora of different teachers and teaching styles, anxiety surrounding math and numbers can quickly become a disorder that interrupts daily life.

Types

There are two types of arithmophobia: generalized arithmophobia and fear of specific numbers. Generalized arithmophobia is a fear of all numbers. The fear of specific numbers is having certain numbers that cause fear while other numbers don't. Fear of specific numbers can be associated with cultural and religious factors. For example, 666 are 3 numbers combined that represent the antichrist in the bible. In China, Vietnam, and Japan, 4 is a number that represents death. In many cultures, the number 13 is also an unlucky number that people fear. These fears in numbers make it difficult for people to perform well in professional and educational settings. 

The cultural association between number superstition and arithmophobia also connects deeply with religion. For example, we see the fear of the number 666, a number known to be associated with the devil in Christianity. This connection could help those treating numerophobia find the root cause and treat the disorder more easily.

Fears of specific numbers

• Tetraphobia – fear of 4 (four)
• Triskaidekaphobia – fear of 13 (thirteen)
• Heptadecaphobia – fear of 17 (seventeen)
• 23 enigma – fear of 23 (twenty-three)
• Curse of 39 – fear of 39 (thirty-nine)
• Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia – fear of 666 (six hundred sixty-six)

Fear of large numbers

Meganumerophobia is the fear of large numbers, like millions, billions, trillions, etc. Meganumerophobes do not fear lower, more imaginable numbers. To some sufferers, high numbers represent eternity. Sufferers of apeirophobia may fear meganumerophobia as well.

This phobia is not well documented but could have some interesting correlations with large crowds, large sums of money, and other aspects of life that seem more grandiose or busy.

Number-related superstitions in music

• Curse of the ninth

• The curse of the ninth is a superstition connected to historical classical music. The superstition was created by composer Gustav Mahler while writing his eighth symphony. The belief is that composers always die while writing their tenth symphony. The most famous example of this is Ludwig van Beethoven who died not long after he finished his ninth symphony, "Ode to Joy".

• 27 Club

• The 27 Club is a cultural phenomenon that leads many fans of popular music to believe that there is a curse surrounding musicians who reach the age of 27, as many musicians die when they reach 27. There is no statistical correlation there as most of these musicians lived high-risk lifestyles, and therefore, their untimely deaths were linked to real causes.

• An example of this phenomenon can be found in Jimi Hendrix’s death. The American guitarist, singer, and songwriter was found dead in London after overdosing on sleeping pills with alcohol in his system. While to some, this death may look suspicious, these actions were not uncommon for the young adult. He was known to take pills given to him without even knowing what they were.

Symptoms

Symptoms of arithmophobia is often very similar to other types os anxiety disorder. These symptoms include chills, dizziness and lightheadedness, excessive sweating, heartl palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath, trembling or shaking, and an upset stomach. Symptoms of arithmophobia can be more or less intense in different cases.

The symptoms listed above are symptoms commonly found in anxiety disorders but are by no means an all-encompassing list. Everyone experiences anxiety in different forms, and a symptom could be something as simple as biting one's nails. There are even cultural forms of arithmophobia symptoms that lead to things such as the 13th floor being omitted from tall buildings as it is heavily believed to ve a bad omen or immensely unlucky.

While the APA does not recognize Arithmophobia as a diagnosable phobia, many still recognize it . We can see this in math teachers or professors who bring in therapy dogs to help with testing anxiety or teachers who work one-on-one with students who struggle with certain forms of math, and while it is not diagnosed, there are, of course, therapists and psychologists who will work with their patients on the triggers and symptoms.

Exploring the Broader Impacts of Numerophobia

An area of research that has come to light relating to arithmophobia focuses on its potential link to other forms of mental health disorders. Research suggests that people who experience severe anxiety with numbers may also be at a higher risk of developing other anxiety-related conditions, such as social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This could be due to the fact that the fear of numbers often intersects with broader cognitive patterns of worry, uncertainty, and perfectionism. For example, students with math anxiety may also experience anticipatory anxiety about upcoming tests or future performance, which could feed into more general worries about their academic success or social standing. Researchers are now investigating whether addressing arithmophobia through holistic treatments, such as mindfulness or stress management techniques, might help alleviate symptoms of both math-related anxiety and broader anxiety disorders.

Furthermore, another highly valued aspect of arithmophobia that is gaining attention is the impact of modern technology on its prevalence. With the growing use of digital devices in daily life, people are increasingly exposed to numbers in ways that may exacerbate their fear. For instance, constant tracking of numerical data—such as the number of steps walked, calories burned, or even financial transactions—can intensify pressure for those with arithmophobia. The era of technology has made it troublesome to escape from numeric values, as even simple activities like browsing the internet or checking social media are often accompanied by numeric notifications (e.g., messages, likes, or followers). This increased exposure can make it harder for individuals to manage their fear and avoid situations where numbers are involved.

Additionally, there is growing interest in how cultural perceptions of numbers influence the development of arithmophobia. While certain numbers are universally associated with bad luck, like 13 or 666, the significance of numbers can vary widely between cultures. For example, in Western cultures, the number 7 is often seen as lucky; in other cultures, it may hold less significance or even a negative connotation. This cultural approach suggests that arithmophobia might not be solely rooted in the individual’s psychological state but also shaped by the larger cultural environment. As a result, treatment approaches may need to be tailored not only to the individual's psychological needs but also to their cultural context, taking into account how certain numbers may be perceived as threatening or lucky in their specific social or cultural setting.