Gelotophobia
An intense, irrational fear of being laughed at or ridiculed by others.
Gelotophobia is the intense, irrational fear of being laughed at or ridiculed by others. This psychological condition often stems from deep-seated insecurity and a heightened sensitivity to social judgment, causing individuals to avoid situations where they might be exposed to mockery. It is distinct from general social anxiety, as the primary trigger is specifically the anticipation of being the target of laughter or derision.
What this means in real life
A person with this fear might skip a team meeting where colleagues are joking around, convinced their coworkers will laugh at them if they speak up—even though no one has ever mocked them before.
What it isn’t
This is not simple shyness or discomfort in social settings. It's a clinical-level phobia where the fear is disproportionate to actual threat and significantly impairs daily functioning, not just mild social nervousness.
Commonly misused online
Social media often conflates this with general social anxiety or introversion, using it casually to describe anyone who dislikes being the center of attention, rather than the specific, intense fear of ridicule it actually describes.