Gelotophobia: Fear of Being Laughed At

Gelotophobia (from Greek gelos = laughter) is the fear of being laughed at or ridiculed. It is a distinct trait on the spectrum of social anxiety, not a formal DSM diagnosis.

Core Features

• Hypervigilance to laughter — interprets ambiguous laughter as directed at self.
• Avoidance of situations where laughter might occur (parties, meetings, performances).
• Emotional responses: shame, anxiety, anger, freezing.
• Behavioral: reduced eye contact, stiff posture, forced smiles, social withdrawal.
• Can impair relationships, work, education.

Related Constructs

• Gelotophilia: Joy in being laughed at (performers, clowns).
• Katagelasticism: Joy in laughing at others (teasing, bullying).

Assessment

• GELOPH<15> (15-item questionnaire; Ruch & Proyer).
• Scores: no fear (<2.0), slight (2.0–2.9), marked (3.0–3.9), extreme (≥4.0).

Treatment

• CBT (cognitive restructuring, exposure, social skills).
• Schema therapy (core beliefs: defectiveness, social isolation).
• Mindfulness, self-compassion training.
• Group therapy (paradoxically helpful — safe laughter exposure).

Epidemiology

Prevalence: ~1–5% marked/extreme; higher in social anxiety disorder, autism spectrum, bullying victims. Cross-culturally validated.

No specific term for "fear of humor" — gelotophobia is the closest validated construct.