Overcoming Cherophobia: The Fear Of Being Happy

Man Shows how the science and art behind overcoming cherophobia the fear of being happy

Cherophobia is fear of being happy or phobia of happiness. It is a condition where people avoid positive emotions because they perceive them to be negative and outright dangerous. There is a strong possibility that this phobia is a defense mechanism which has been developed in response to some kind of conflict or trauma in one’s past.

The cause of cherophobia may stem from any number of reasons, such as past trauma which has been associated with a positive event or if anything nice occurs in one’s life, they may assume that something terrible will inevitably follow. Meaning they may avoid any joyous experiences to protect themselves from potential harm. 

It is unclear exactly how cherophobia develops, but it may stem from existing mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Furthermore, a family history of mental health or other anxiety disorders puts a person at an increased risk.

Symptoms may include:

  • Excessive worrying or anticipation of feeling happy
  • Avoidance of happy events or situations
  • Physical discomfort such as nausea or sweating
  • Worrying about attending a social gathering
  • Putting off taking risks that could improve one’s life because one is afraid of what might happen
  • Choosing to sit on the sidelines and watch the “fun” unfold
  • Assuming that the fact that one is joyful portends unfavorable events
  • Thinking that it’s pointless to make an effort to enjoy life

Ultimately, as we repeatedly say in this blog, happiness is the #1 goal. That being said, cherophobia – an unnatural and undesired reaction that can develop due to unfortunate and unhappy life circumstances – is an obstacle we must address in order to improve our well-being and have a life worth living. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from cherophobia, it is vital to seek help from a mental health professional. Here at Optimal Happiness, we specialize in helping individuals achieve a state of happiness by providing guidance in learning to cope with and overcome fear. Through understanding our past, renegotiating our relationships with positive thoughts, and discovering long-lost happiness, we can assist you in overcoming your phobia. 

Picture of Roman Russo: Author of Optimal Happiness

Roman Russo: Author of Optimal Happiness

Roman Russo wasn't always happy and struggled with his own negative emotions, anxieties, and depression, until one day he pledged to resolve this part of life, whatever it took. The journey took 6 years, but it was worth it. Today, Roman considers himself to be one of the happiest people alive, part of the 1% of the happiest elite, and he now teaches others a working and universal happiness formula to reach a similar goal. He offers his best advice on Optimal Happiness social media, newsletter, blog, and books, and teaches a complete and unconditional happiness formula in his online courses.

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“The problem is that of optimization,” states Roman Russo, author of Optimal Happiness: The Fastest & Surest Way To Reach Your Happiest Potential. There is plenty of advice on how to be happier or less sad, but no one is speaking about how to become the happiest we can be. And this is the difference that makes all the difference. By not looking at our maximum potential for happiness, we fall short of achieving it. After all, we all have hundreds of ideas on how to be happier or less sad, but most people still feel like they are not living their best lives. As such, Optimal Happiness explores the question of how to be the happiest we can be, regardless of who we are, where we are from, and what our life circumstances are. It proposes a complete and unconditional formula for happiness and explains how you too can become happy today and forever, inviting you to join the 1% happiness elite and become one of the happiest people alive.

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