Fear Of Colors

The fear of colors is known as Chromophobia. Some people will react to certain shades and tones, and others will prefer to surround themselves with an environment as free of colors as possible.

Reasons For This Phobia

This phobia can surface for a variety of reasons. The connection between colors and symbolism is one popular reason for an aversion to colors. For example, color is often used in idioms, to describe people and things.

“Scarlet woman” denotes an adulterous or promiscuous female. “Blackguard” is used to describe a rogue or criminal. “Feeling blue” is a way of expressing melancholy and sadness. For some, the mental and emotional connections between colors and emotions make them averse to certain colors.

As well, certain people may prefer a minimalist environment and wardrobe. They will tend to choose black and white, avoiding bright pastels and primary colors. In modern architecture and design, muted tones such as beige and cream are often used in lieu of stronger shades. For people with a postmodern aesthetic, color may seem tacky or outdated.

Is Color Blindness A Trigger?


Color blindness can cause some issues with colors. People who are color blind can see some colors, but will have trouble seeing others properly. They may not be able to tell purple from blue, etc. Sometimes, color blindness, which is hereditary, can stop a person from pursuing the career they really want.

For example, many young and aspiring pilots have had their hopes dashed after a routine medical exam. They find out they are not approved to fly at night, where proper color vision is essential. Sometimes, the person with color blindness won’t even realize they have it until their medical.

For this reason, many people with color blindness develop a phobia about colors. They will unsure about what colors they are seeing, and things may seem off-kilter. Any life problems created by color blindness, such as bad memories or career problems, will be potent triggers for Chromophobia.


People with this affliction will react negatively when faced with the color they hate. They will feel ill at ease, and panic will rise if they cannot get away from the source of their distress. Nausea, headaches, dizziness, and intense anxiety are the primary symptoms of panic attacks, but there can be others.


Treating the fear of colors will require a little insight into why the phobia is occurring. If the phobia is based on a medical issue related to color blindness, or sensitivity to light, good medical care and education should be combined with panic treatment or psychotherapy.

The fear of colors is also referred to as:

  • color fear
  • afraid of colors
  • color phobia
  • etc, ,etc, etc
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