Hyperlogophobia

Hy·per·lo·go·pho·bi·a
/ˌhaɪ.pər.loʊ.ɡəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ (hy-per-loh-guh-FOH-bee-uh)
noun

Etymology:
Coined from Greek hyper- (ὑπέρ) meaning "over, excessive" + Greek logos (λόγος) meaning "word, reason, discourse, information" + Greek -phobia (-φοβία) meaning "fear." A neologism describing a modern psychological response.

Definition:
1. A specific, often overwhelming and irrational, fear or aversion to information overload; an intense anxiety or dread associated with being confronted by, or having to process, an excessive amount of information.
2. The psychological distress, avoidance behaviors, or panic experienced when exposed to situations perceived as information-dense, such as extensive data, complex instructions, constant news updates, or overwhelming digital feeds, leading to a feeling of being unable to cope or make sense of the input.

Usage Notes:
While "hyperlogophobia" is not formally recognized as a clinical disorder in diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 or ICD-11, it is a descriptive term used to characterize a significant and debilitating fear response to the perceived threat of being inundated with more information than one can meaningfully absorb or manage. It goes beyond simple annoyance or stress related to information overload, implying a phobic-level reaction.
"Her hyperlogophobia made researching her thesis an agonizing process, as even opening a database filled her with dread."

"In an era of constant digital bombardment, some commentators suggest that hyperlogophobia is becoming an increasingly common, albeit informal, complaint."

"He experienced a wave of hyperlogophobia when presented with the 300-page training manual on his first day."
by May 15, 2025
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