Astraphobia: Dealing with the Fear of Thunder and Lightning

Do you feel extreme fear and irrational panic every time you see a storm brewing in the horizon? When you see dark clouds and flashes of lightning or hear the roll of thunder, do you get upset even though you know that the incoming storm may cause little to no harm? If you answer “yes” to the questions posed above then you may be experiencing a particular type of phobia.

A phobia is an irrational and abnormal fear of something. In this case, the scientific community calls the abnormal fear of thunder and lightning as astraphobia.

Astraphobia is the third most prevalent phobia in the United States.

It occurs frequently among toddlers and young children. But teens and adults, even animals such as dogs can also develop and experience this type of phobia.

Although it commonly occurs in children, the fear of lightning and thunder cannot be considered a full blown phobia if it does not persist within a six month period.

Symptoms of Astraphobia

An astraphobic individual will feel extreme anxiety with the coming of a thunderstorm. Additionally, symptoms related to other types of phobia such as trembling, crying, sweating, panic attacks, the panic of dread and rapid heartbeat are also experienced. In addition to the usual symptoms, individuals with astraphobia may look for an extra shelter from the storm.

They may hide under the bed, in the closets, in the basement or in any other place where they may feel safer. Further, astraphobics may try to minimize or drown the sound of thunder by covering their ears or adding curtains to their windows. People with astraphobia are often very interested in weather forecasts. They keep track of incoming storms by monitoring weather stations and news alerts of storms online. They feel compelled to watch the skies for telltale signs of storms. In extreme cases, they may never leave their house without making sure that the weather forecast is good. Hence, astraphobia in some instances may lead to agoraphobia or the fear of leaving one’s residence.

Treating Astraphobia

Desensitization is the most widely used treatment for astraphobia. The astraphobic individual is exposed to thunderstorms hoping that he will eventually gain immunity against those storms. Most experts agree that desensitization is perhaps the most effective treatment for astraphobia.

Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy is also used to treat it. A person is instructed to repeat a mantra, a set of phrases to himself in order to become calm during a storm. Aside from self talk, visualization exercises are also helpful. Heavy breathing exercises can also help reinforce the effort. In some cases, hypnotherapy can be useful. If you feel that you have the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable that you consult a professional. Self diagnosis is not recommended.