Weather Phobia Signs and Symptoms By Tiffany Means Updated December 02, 2016. Do you jump at every flash of lightning and rumble of thunder? Or monitor the TV whenever there's a severe weather threat near your home or workplace? If you do, it's very possible you have a weather phobia —a marked fear of or anxiety about a specific weather type or event. Weather phobias are included in the "natural environment" family of phobias—fears triggered by objects or situations found in nature. Why Am I Afraid? Phobias are sometimes described as "irrational" fears, but they don't always develop out of nowhere. If you've ever experienced a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado , or wildfire —even if you didn't suffer any physical injury or trauma—it's possible that the unexpected, sudden, or overwhelming nature of the event could have taken an emotional toll on you. You Might Have a Weather Phobia If...

If you feel any of the following in certain weather situations, you may suffer, to some degree, from a weather phobia: Anxiety and panic (heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea) continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge A desire to be around others when unfavorable weather is forecast or occurring An inability to sleep or eat during sever weather Helplessness when certain weather is occurring You change your schedule so that you can plan around ill weather You obsessively monitor the TV, weather forecasts , or your weather radio One in 10 Americans Are Afraid of Weather While you might feel ashamed to be afraid of something like weather , which most other people consider to be routine, please know that you're not alone. According to the American Psychiatric Association, approximately 9-12% of Americans have natural environment phobias, of which 3% of that number are afraid of storms. What's more, some meteorologists can trace their interest in learning about weather back to a fear of weather. Let this encourage you that your weather phobias can be overcome! Coping with Weather Fears When your weather fear strikes, you may feel helpless.

But there are a number of things you can do, both before and during attacks, to help manage anxiety and stress. Learn how weather works. If you're afraid of something, the last thing you may want to do is willingly subject yourself to it. But sometimes, fear of something is rooted in a lack of knowledge of it. If you understand the reality of how weather works, you can better differentiate between threats that are real and those that are perceived in your mind. Read weather books, visit science museum exhibits, and learn about weather basics from your favorite weather company and links. (Your presence here on About Weather means you're already off to a good start!) Practice weather safety. Having an emergency plan in place may help put your mind at ease should bad weather actually strike. It can also make you feel like you have more control of the situation, and are not just a passive victim. Relax. While it's easier said than done, relaxing is one of your best defenses. To help keep calm, try engaging in activities that keep your mind occupied and off of the weather happening outside your door. Practice a favorite hobby or start up a conversation with friends or family. Meditation, prayer, music, and aromatherapy are other good options.

(Lavender, chamomile, bergamot, and almond are scents frequently used to ease anxiety.) To find out more, including what the most common weather phobias experienced among Americans are, read Afraid of the Atmosphere . Sources: Jill S. M. Coleman, Kaylee D. Newby, Karen D. Multon, and Cynthia L. Taylor. Weathering the Storm: Revisiting Severe-Weather Phobia . Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (2014). Virtual reality and tonitrophobia (fear of thunderstorms) - Virtual Reality Virtual Reality News Virtual reality and tonitrophobia (fear of thunderstorms) A phobia about thunderstorms or ‘tonitrophobia’ is one of the lesser known phobias but like any other phobia it causes stress and anxiety. It is a very specific type of phobia but nevertheless, requires therapy in order to treat it. Virtual reality is one of the newer forms of therapy being used to treat phobias such as this. This article discusses this in more detail. A fear of thunderstorms includes not only thunder and lightening but gales, heavy rain and hail.

Anything which causes a noticeable change in the weather is perceived to be a threat which results in symptoms of anxiety such as light headedness, rapid heartbeat, increased respiration, tremors and disorientation. In some cases these lead to a panic attack. Virtual reality treatment for tonitrophobia How can virtual reality help? What virtual reality does is to enable the affected person to become immersed in a virtual environment which is the source of their phobia. In this case the person is scared of thunderstorms so they will be shown a series of scenarios featuring this and other adverse weather conditions. The idea behind this is that through repeated exposure the affected person will become used to this situation and start to relax. They will go from seeing this as a threat to one that they can cope with by adopting a few coping strategies. Their anxiety levels are measured and the results used in the planning of their treatment. The affected person wears a head mounted display (HMD) which enables them to see and experience various weather conditions. These images shift as they move their head which adds a sense of realism and maintains the immersion. Each scenario is designed to test their coping skills and records their anxiety levels. The person then progresses through these scenarios after they have learnt how to relax and handle the situation.

Once they have done so and the therapist is satisfied with their response they then move onto another scenario. The affected person is in control of the situation at all times. They have the option to return to another scenario if they are experiencing uncomfortable levels of anxiety. Plus there is the option to leave the virtual environment all together. Once the affected person feels safe they start to relax which eases their symptoms and removes the feelings of apprehension. Over time this leads to a cessation of symptoms and the phobia itself. The Phobia List Amaxophobia- Fear of riding in a car. Ambulophobia- Fear of walking. Amychophobia- Fear of scratches or being scratched. Anablephobia- Fear of looking up. Ancraophobia- Fear of wind. (Anemophobia) Androphobia- Fear of men. Anemophobia- Fear of air drafts or wind.(Ancraophobia) Anginophobia- Fear of angina, choking or narrowness. Anglophobia- Fear of England or English culture, etc. Angrophobia - Fear of anger or of becoming angry. Ankylophobia- Fear of immobility of a joint. Anthrophobia or Anthophobia- Fear of flowers.

Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society. Antlophobia- Fear of floods. Anuptaphobia- Fear of staying single. Apeirophobia- Fear of infinity. Aphenphosmphobia- Fear of being touched. (Haphephobia) Apiphobia- Fear of bees. Apotemnophobia- Fear of persons with amputations. Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. Arachnephobia or Arachnophobia- Fear of spiders. Arithmophobia- Fear of numbers. Cainophobia or Cainotophobia- Fear of newness, novelty. Caligynephobia- Fear of beautiful women. Cancerophobia or Carcinophobia- Fear of cancer. Cardiophobia- Fear of the heart. Carnophobia- Fear of meat. Catagelophobia- Fear of being ridiculed. Catapedaphobia- Fear of jumping from high and low places. Cathisophobia- Fear of sitting. Cenophobia or Centophobia- Fear of new things or ideas.

Ceraunophobia or Keraunophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Astraphobia, Astrapophobia) Chaetophobia- Fear of hair. Cheimaphobia or Cheimatophobia- Fear of cold.(Frigophobia, Psychophobia) Chemophobia- Fear of chemicals or working with chemicals. Cherophobia- Fear of gaiety. Chiraptophobia- Fear of being touched. Chirophobia- Fear of hands. Cholerophobia- Fear of anger or the fear of cholera. Chorophobia- Fear of dancing. Chrometophobia or Chrematophobia- Fear of money. Chromophobia or Chromatophobia- Fear of colors. Chronophobia- Fear of time. Cibophobia- Fear of food.(Sitophobia, Sitiophobia) Claustrophobia- Fear of confined spaces. Cleithrophobia or Cleisiophobia- Fear of being locked in an enclosed place. Cleptophobia- Fear of stealing. Climacophobia- Fear of stairs, climbing, or of falling downstairs. Clinophobia- Fear of going to bed. Clithrophobia or Cleithrophobia- Fear of being enclosed. Cnidophobia- Fear of stings.

Decidophobia- Fear of making decisions. Defecaloesiophobia- Fear of painful bowels movements. Deipnophobia- Fear of dining or dinner conversations. Dementophobia- Fear of insanity. Demonophobia or Daemonophobia- Fear of demons. Demophobia- Fear of crowds. (Agoraphobia) Dendrophobia- Fear of trees. Dermatophobia- Fear of skin lesions. Dermatosiophobia or Dermatophobia or Dermatopathophobia- Fear of skin disease. Dextrophobia- Fear of objects at the right side of the body. Diabetophobia- Fear of diabetes. Didaskaleinophobia- Fear of going to school. Dikephobia- Fear of justice. Dinophobia- Fear of dizziness or whirlpools. Diplophobia- Fear of double vision. Dipsophobia- Fear of drinking. Dishabiliophobia- Fear of undressing in front of someone. Disposophobia- Fear of throwing stuff out. Hoarding. Domatophobia- Fear of houses or being in a house.(Eicophobia, Oikophobia) Doraphobia- Fear of fur or skins of animals. Doxophobia- Fear of expressing opinions or of receiving praise.

Dromophobia- Fear of crossing streets. Dutchphobia- Fear of the Dutch. Dysmorphophobia- Fear of deformity. Hagiophobia- Fear of saints or holy things. Hamartophobia- Fear of sinning. Haphephobia or Haptephobia- Fear of being touched. Harpaxophobia- Fear of being robbed. Hedonophobia- Fear of feeling pleasure. Heliophobia- Fear of the sun. Hellenologophobia- Fear of Greek terms or complex scientific terminology. Helminthophobia- Fear of being infested with worms. Hemophobia or Hemaphobia or Hematophobia- Fear of blood. Heresyphobia or Hereiophobia- Fear of challenges to official doctrine or of radical deviation. Herpetophobia- Fear of reptiles or creepy, crawly things. Heterophobia- Fear of the opposite sex. (Sexophobia) Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia- Fear of the number 666. Hierophobia- Fear of priests or sacred things. Hippophobia- Fear of horses. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia- Fear of long words.

Hobophobia- Fear of bums or beggars. Hodophobia- Fear of road travel. Hormephobia- Fear of shock. Homophobia- Fear of sameness, monotony or of homosexuality or of becoming homosexual. Hoplophobia- Fear of firearms. Hydrargyophobia- Fear of mercurial medicines. Hydrophobia- Fear of water or of rabies. Hydrophobophobia- Fear of rabies. Hyelophobia or Hyalophobia- Fear of glass. Hygrophobia- Fear of liquids, dampness, or moisture. Hylephobia- Fear of materialism or the fear of epilepsy. Hylophobia- Fear of forests. Hypengyophobia or Hypegiaphobia- Fear of responsibility. Hypnophobia- Fear of sleep or of being hypnotized. Hypsiphobia- Fear of height. Iatrophobia- Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors. Ichthyophobia- Fear of fish. Illyngophobia- Fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down. Iophobia- Fear of poison. Isolophobia- Fear of solitude, being alone. Isopterophobia- Fear of termites, insects that eat wood.

Ithyphallophobia- Fear of seeing, thinking about or having an erect penis. Metrophobia- Fear or hatred of poetry. Microbiophobia- Fear of microbes. (Bacillophobia) Microphobia- Fear of small things. Misophobia or Mysophobia- Fear of being contaminated with dirt or germs. Mnemophobia- Fear of memories. Molysmophobia or Molysomophobia- Fear of dirt or contamination. Monophobia- Fear of solitude or being alone. Monopathophobia- Fear of definite disease. Motorphobia- Fear of automobiles. Musophobia or Muriphobia- Fear of mice. Mycophobia- Fear or aversion to mushrooms. Mycrophobia- Fear of small things. Myctophobia- Fear of darkness. Mythophobia- Fear of myths or stories or false statements. Myxophobia- Fear of slime. (Blennophobia) Nebulaphobia- Fear of fog. (Homichlophobia) Necrophobia- Fear of death or dead things. Nelophobia- Fear of glass. Neopharmaphobia- Fear of new drugs. Neophobia- Fear of anything new. Nephophobia- Fear of clouds.

Noctiphobia- Fear of the night. Nomatophobia- Fear of names. Nosophobia or Nosemaphobia- Fear of becoming ill. Nostophobia- Fear of returning home. Novercaphobia- Fear of your step-mother. Nucleomituphobia- Fear of nuclear weapons. Nudophobia- Fear of nudity. Nyctohylophobia- Fear of dark wooded areas or of forests at night Nyctophobia- Fear of the dark or of night. If you appreciate the Phobia List, please help support it. Obesophobia- Fear of gaining weight.(Pocrescophobia) Ochlophobia- Fear of crowds or mobs. Ochophobia- Fear of vehicles. Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8. Odontophobia- Fear of teeth or dental surgery. Odynophobia or Odynephobia- Fear of pain. (Algophobia) Oenophobia- Fear of wines. Oikophobia- Fear of home surroundings, house.(Domatophobia, Eicophobia) Olfactophobia- Fear of smells. Ombrophobia- Fear of rain or of being rained on. Ommetaphobia or Ommatophobia- Fear of eyes.

Omphalophobia- Fear of belly buttons. Oneirophobia- Fear of dreams. Oneirogmophobia- Fear of wet dreams. Onomatophobia- Fear of hearing a certain word or of names. Ophidiophobia- Fear of snakes. (Snakephobia) Ophthalmophobia- Fear of being stared at. Opiophobia- Fear medical doctors experience of prescribing needed pain medications for patients. Optophobia- Fear of opening one's eyes. Ornithophobia- Fear of birds. Osmophobia or Osphresiophobia- Fear of smells or odors. Ostraconophobia- Fear of shellfish. Peladophobia- Fear of bald people. Pellagrophobia- Fear of pellagra. Pentheraphobia- Fear of mother-in-law. (Novercaphobia) Phagophobia- Fear of swallowing or of eating or of being eaten. Phalacrophobia- Fear of becoming bald. Phallophobia- Fear of a penis, esp erect. Pharmacophobia- Fear of taking medicine. Phasmophobia- Fear of ghosts. Phengophobia- Fear of daylight or sunshine. Philemaphobia or Philematophobia- Fear of kissing.

Philophobia- Fear of falling in love or being in love. Philosophobia- Fear of philosophy. Photoaugliaphobia- Fear of glaring lights. Photophobia- Fear of light. Phonophobia- Fear of noises or voices or one's own voice; of telephones. Phronemophobia- Fear of thinking. Phthiriophobia- Fear of lice. (Pediculophobia) Phthisiophobia- Fear of tuberculosis. Sarmassophobia- Fear of love play. (Malaxophobia) Satanophobia- Fear of Satan. Scatophobia- Fear of fecal matter. Scelerophibia- Fear of bad men, burglars. Sciophobia Sciaphobia- Fear of shadows. Scoleciphobia- Fear of worms. Scopophobia or Scoptophobia- Fear of being seen or stared at. Scotomaphobia- Fear of blindness in visual field. Scotophobia- Fear of darkness. (Achluophobia) Scriptophobia- Fear of writing in public. Selachophobia- Fear of sharks. Selaphobia- Fear of light flashes. Selenophobia- Fear of the moon. Seplophobia- Fear of decaying matter. Sesquipedalophobia- Fear of long words.

Sexophobia- Fear of the opposite sex. (Heterophobia) Siderodromophobia- Fear of trains, railroads or train travel. Siderophobia- Fear of stars. Sinistrophobia- Fear of things to the left or left-handed. Sinophobia- Fear of Chinese, Chinese culture. Sitophobia or Sitiophobia- Fear of food or eating. (Cibophobia) Snakephobia- Fear of snakes. (Ophidiophobia) Soceraphobia- Fear of parents-in-law. Social Phobia- Fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations. Sociophobia- Fear of society or people in general. Somniphobia- Fear of sleep. Soteriophobia - Fear of dependence on others. Spacephobia- Fear of outer space. Spectrophobia- Fear of specters or ghosts. Spermatophobia or Spermophobia- Fear of germs. Spheksophobia- Fear of wasps. Stasibasiphobia or Stasiphobia- Fear of standing or walking. (Ambulophobia) Staurophobia- Fear of crosses or the crucifix. Stenophobia- Fear of narrow things or places. Stygiophobia or Stigiophobia- Fear of hell.

Suriphobia- Fear of mice. Taeniophobia or Teniophobia- Fear of tapeworms. Taphephobia Taphophobia- Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries. Tapinophobia- Fear of being contagious. Taurophobia- Fear of bulls. Teleophobia- 1) Fear of definite plans. 2) Religious ceremony. Telephonophobia- Fear of telephones. Teratophobia- Fear of bearing a deformed child or fear of monsters or deformed people. Testophobia- Fear of taking tests. Tetanophobia- Fear of lockjaw, tetanus. Teutophobia- Fear of German or German things. Textophobia- Fear of certain fabrics. Thaasophobia- Fear of sitting. Thalassophobia- Fear of the sea. Thanatophobia or Thantophobia- Fear of death or dying. Theatrophobia- Fear of theatres. Theophobia- Fear of gods or religion. Thermophobia- Fear of heat. Tocophobia- Fear of pregnancy or childbirth. Tomophobia- Fear of surgical operations. Tonitrophobia- Fear of thunder. Topophobia- Fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright.

Toxiphobia or Toxophobia or Toxicophobia- Fear of poison or of being accidently poisoned. Traumatophobia- Fear of injury. Understanding Chionophobia: The Fear of Snow Understanding Chionophobia: The Fear of Snow Search the site Understanding Chionophobia: The Fear of Snow A Look at This Weather-Related Natural Environment Phobia By Lisa Fritscher Updated March 30, 2016 Chionophobia, or intense fear of snow, is a type of phobia categorized as a natural environment phobia. Natural environment phobias include other weather-related phobias like the fear of thunderstorms (astrophobia), the fear of wind (ancraophobia), and, of course, the fear of snow (chionophobia). According to the American Meteorological Society, natural environment phobias like chionophobia are the second most prevalent phobia subtype. Chionophobia and the Fear of Snow Chionophobia is not just a dislike of snow or a rational fear of severe weather forecasts, it is an irrational fear of snow that is typically linked to a fear of bodily harm or death.

Though phobias can and do manifest themselves differently in different people's experiences, there are typically two primary fears behind chionophobia: the fear of becoming snowbound and the fear of being stranded in snow. Symptoms of True Chionophobia Like all phobias, the fear of snow may cause a variety of symptoms. Paying undue attention to weather reports, refusing to leave home during snowy weather, and experiencing panic attacks are extremely common in people with chionophobia. For people with true chionophobia, the mere forecast of a winter storm or snowfall can induce physiological symptoms of fear and anxiety like cold sweats, panic attacks, and even an unrealistic feeling of doom and dread. Coping With Chionophobia The best methods for coping with the fear of snow depend on the severity and the level of impact that your fear has on your life. Some people find that becoming educated about different types of snow and their effects on local conditions can calm their fears. Others find that gradual exposure to winter activities is calming. If your fear is severe or life-limiting, however, seek the guidance of a trained mental health professional.

Winter weather is a fact of life, but with proper assistance and hard work, there is no reason for it to seriously curtail your life when faced with snowy winter weather. Other Snow-Related Fears Like any phobia, the fear of snow is highly personalized. No two people experience snow phobia in precisely the same way and not all fears related to snow are, in fact, clinical phobias. Nonetheless, the vast majority of known snow-related fears fall into a handful of common categories. Fear of Severe Weather The fear of snow is often, although not always, associated with a more generalized weather-related phobia. Lilapsophobia is the fear of severe weather events, while astraphobia is the fear of more run of the mill storms. Although snowfall is not generally affiliated with thunder and lightning, these events may certainly occur. For those with a fear of weather-related phenomena, even the possibility of a severe storm may be enough to trigger a phobic reaction . Fear of Being Trapped Avalanches, unstable snow forts, and thin ice are just a few of the potential hazards of winter activities.

Most people take precautions to guard against becoming seriously trapped by snow or ice, but for some people, the concept of being trapped is a major anxiety trigger. For people with a strong phobia of being trapped, even the slight sinking feeling of walking through a light layer of snow may be enough to induce a panic attack . Fear of Injury Snowy conditions are often accompanied by ice, which is slick and potentially dangerous, and sometimes covered by a layer of snow. For those who have medical phobias or a fear of being injured, snow may present an anxiety-inducing risk. Some fears of injury due to ice and snow are rational, so it's important to note that fears that are rooted in rational considerations are never considered phobias. Fear of Cold Hypothermia and frostbite are very real conditions that, if not properly treated, may lead to serious injury or even death. However, they are relatively rare in the modern world except during emergency situations. Particularly in colder climates, clothing, blankets and emergency heat supplies are readily available and adequate for the prevailing local conditions. Nonetheless, some people have a specific irrational fear of being cold.

Known as cryophobia, the fear of cold can be paralyzing, inducing sufferers to remain indoors even at great personal cost to relationships and obligations. Fear of Illness Remember that old playground advice, "don't eat the yellow snow?" Although pure, new-fallen snow is relatively safe and clean, snow that has sat on the ground may be contaminated with bodily fluids, chemicals and numerous other hazards. The risks are minimal, particularly for those who do not make a habit of eating old snow. For those with germ phobia or hypochondriasis, however, even the slight risks associated with snow may be too much to bear. Fear of Water Of course, snow is simply frozen water. While most of us consume and use water in a variety of ways on a daily basis, aquaphobia, or the fear of water, is surprisingly common. In extreme cases, aquaphobia can even lead to a fear of bathing , so it is theoretically possible that a fear of water could also lead to a fear of snow. Fear of Driving Winter driving is often tricky and potentially hazardous. Caution is prudent, and most people develop winter driving habits that minimize the risks. For those with a pre-existing fear of driving, however, driving in winter weather may seem impossible.

In addition, some people with no fear of driving in mild weather develop a specific phobia of winter driving. Sources: American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th Ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Jill S. M. Coleman, Kaylee D. Newby, Karen D. Multon, and Cynthia L. Taylor. Weathering the Storm: Revisiting Severe-Weather Phobia . American Meteorological Society (2014). Continue Reading General News 100 Old Public Library Contact: Melvin O. Shaw (319) 384-0010 (319) 358-9099 Home e-mail: melvin-shaw@uiowa.edu Release: Immediate UI professor, meteorologist team up to treat 'severe weather phobia' IOWA CITY, Iowa -- People who feel as if their hearts are beating louder than thunder with every severe storm watch and warning may have help in dealing with their fear of severe weather, thanks to a unique project that teams a University of Iowa professor and a noted Iowa meteorologist.

John Westefeld, who introduced the term "severe weather phobia" into the psychological vocabulary, is joining Roger Evans, chief meteorologist from KGAN News Channel 2 and who is certified by the American Meteorological Society, in a team effort to provide group counseling to people who are profoundly afraid of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Westefeld, an associate professor in the UI College of Education who directs the doctoral program in counseling psychology at the UI, says the team approach is a well-respected method in helping people overcome phobias. The most well-known example is in counseling people who are afraid to fly in airplanes: a standard approach is a series of sessions working with a psychologist and a certified pilot. "The intent is to draw on the expertise of both people -- the psychologist who can help people deal with the anxiety caused by their fear and, in this case, the meteorologist who can help answer questions about the weather and how it works," Westefeld says. "Through that interaction, people with the phobia hopefully get a better sense of what they are afraid of and how to deal with that fear. "Of course, people should always take appropriate safety precautions during any severe weather event," Westefeld says.

"Our concern here is with people who become so anxious prior to and during severe weather that they can barely function." This is the first time, as far as Westefeld knows, that a group counseling treatment would be available for people who are profoundly afraid of severe weather. Westefeld has been a leading advocate for recognizing severe weather phobia as a psychological condition since introducing the term in a 1996 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. He's also presented his findings to the American Psychological Association (APA). People with severe weather phobia have an intense, debilitating, and unreasonable fear of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, Westefeld says. "Severe weather phobia affects people's lives the same way as other phobias that people may be familiar with," he says. "As soon the forecast for the possibility of severe weather is made, people with severe weather phobia may often refuse to leave their homes, their hearts start pounding, it becomes extremely difficult for them to function, and they may panic," Westefeld says. Westefeld acknowledges that severe weather phobia probably affects a small minority of people in the United States, but he says since little work has been done, it's difficult to judge the scope of the problem.

"The main reason we're offering this group is to try and help people who we think could benefit from this," Westefeld says. Westefeld expects the proposed group treatment to require four sessions. Sessions will be free. Westefeld is hoping to begin sessions during the winter of 1999. For more information, or to request to participate in the group, contact John Westefeld, College of Education, 356 Lindquist Center; University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; phone: (319) 335-5562; email: john-westefeld@uiowa.edu -30- What Is Astraphobia? - Astraphobia Guide Astraphobia Guide Why You Fear Thunder And Lightening What Is Astraphobia? Astraphobia is the irrational fear of thunder and lightening. This is a specific phobia that tops the list of the most common phobias that people have. You may also hear it referred to as Astrapophobia, Brontophobia, Keraunophobia, and Tonitrophobia. It’s estimated that about ten percent of the American population suffers from this specific weather phobia.

Animals, like dogs and cats, typically experience this phobia also. Symptoms A person suffering from Astraphobia will experience a high level of anxiety when it is storming outside. Some may even experience a full blown panic attacks. These symptoms include: Trembling Difficulty Breathing Impeding Sense of Doom or Death For most sufferers this condition is worse when they are left alone. Typically in the presence of other people sufferers are able to find reassurance in the stormy situation. But when left alone sufferers tend to panic. Staying inside of your house or under a roof is not enough cover form most people with this condition. They tend to seek extra security hiding under a bed, in a closet, the basement, or any other space where they feel safer. As an extra measure many sufferers will turn up the radio, put on headphones, or blare the television to drown out the noise created by thunder and lightening. Sufferers tend to pay very close attention to the weather forecast. They constantly look at the weather channel and updates. Some severe sufferers will actually avoid going outside until they check the forecast to ensure there is no possibility of a storm coming so they don’t get stuck outside in it.

Causes There are a couple of different reasons you may have developed this fear of stormy weather. Let’s take a closer look at each. Traumatic Situation Many people that suffer from this fear of thunder and lightening have experienced a traumatic event in the past that involved the rain, lightening, or thunder. Each person’s experience varies greatly. It could be that lightening struck something that was important to the person. A car accident in the storm that killed a family member. Or anything alike. Informational Experience For some sufferers their fear of stormy weather may be due to what they have been told, and not anything specific they experienced with the weather. Reading informative books about traumatic events that happened due to thunder and lightening, watching films that depict this type of weather as scary or bad, and even parental cues of parents having Astraphobia and passing on the fear to their children. All of these informational stimuli can cause a person to develop this fear of thunder and lightening, even though the fear has not personally affected them. Treatment There are a few common means to dealing with phobias . Let’s take a look at your different options. In Vivo Therapy This is one of the most effective forms of treatment performed by a therapist.

In dealing with Astraphobia your licensed therapist will expose you to images and videos of thunder and lightening. This method uses repeat exposure to desensitize your anxiety towards your fear. They typically do exposure in steps. For example, your therapist may show you images of lightening. Next they may play the noise of thunder and lightening. Last, they may bring in a video or expose you to a storm going on outside. With every different level of exposure you become more familiar with your fear as your therapists shows you that there is nothing to fear. This helps to reprogram the way your brain reacts to this fear. Systematic Desensitization Therapy In this type of desensitization your therapist will teach you relaxation techniques to deal with your phobia. This session typically starts out with your therapists having you imagine the situation of lightening and thunder. They will ask you questions and take notes as what where your phobia developed from. When your anxiety level starts to get high, they will coach you through relaxing and deep breathing. This is repeated through many different sessions until you are able to be imaginatively exposed to your fear without getting anxious. By using your own relaxation and breathing techniques you can better control your body’s reaction to thunder and lightening.

Self-Help Treatment There are numerous self-help programs out there for phobia sufferers. As most phobia are similar in the way the develop and how to overcome them, one program may be helpful a treating a variety of different phobias. If you are not comfortable speaking about your Astraphobia, this may be the best course of treatment for you. By following a step-by-step guide on the steps you need to take to overcome your phobia you can successfully cure yourself. Flying Weather Conditions Flying Weather Conditions Get all the flying weather conditions advice you need, right here, in one easy step... ...Panic Attacks ...Flying Anxiety ...Acrophobia Do you just want to enjoy your holiday or business trip without having to worry about flying to and from your destination? You too can enjoy flying with this great download that reprograms the way you think about flying. Just imagine your next flight being pure bliss... Packed full of resources, tips, advice, freebies, competitions, and downloads. Change your mind - Change your life! Fear of Flying Help has a great collection of products that may help overcome the Fear of Flying and Acrophobia Products include popular books, DVDs and CDs, flight simulator software and various flying accessories.

I love Flight simulator x and I am only 13 years old it is the best reality simulator I've ever seen.. Gamers of all ages, types and skill levels will experience first-hand what it is like to be an aviator traveling the globe, either alone or online with others. News & Articles Flying Weather Conditions Flying in Turbulence and Bad Weather Many people are scared to fly because they are fearful of flying in turbulence and bad flying weather conditions. Whilst disturbances in the weather are a very natural phenomena, they can feel very unnatural to passengers in an aircraft cabin at 36,000 feet. Turbulence is simply an irregular flow of air that often occurs unexpectedly and usually cannot be seen. It is caused by a variety of conditions: flying in the vicinity of thunderstorms flying through cloud flying at high altitude near to jet streams flying in or close to a weather front flying between air masses of differing temperatures The degree of turbulence is described by a numerical identifier or a descriptive word light (1) extreme (6) Common Misconceptions It is not called an air pocket and, despite sensational reports to the contrary, with the use of modern autopilots, aircraft do not drop through the sky when they encounter turbulence.

Flying in turbulence is no more dangerous than driving along a bumpy road. No-one can deny that it can be uncomfortable but it will not cause damage to the aircraft and the only way it can possibly cause harm to passengers or crew is if they insist on walking around the cabin and risk stumbling or falling. You will find that pilots will switch on the fasten seat belt sign if they are expecting or experiencing turbulence on the flight. This is for your comfort as well as for your safety. Pilots liaise with each other, through air traffic control centres, to report turbulence as this helps with flight planning. Flight routes can be altered to avoid bad weather, if necessary. No-one, passengers or crew, wants a bumpy ride. Pilots will almost always do their best to warn passengers if they expect to be flying in turbulence if it cannot be avoided. Whilst it may be easy to route around turbulence in midair, it is not so easy if the weather at the take off or landing airport is not so good. If weather conditions are unsuitable for either take off or landing the pilot will not attempt either. It is as simple as that. For more information on flying weather conditions in the UK click here...

Flying Weather Conditions - Weather Check You may have heard about clear air turbulence or CAT which occurs in clear air and cannot be picked up by weather radar, although pilots and forecasters can usually identify likely areas of CAT by inspecting weather charts. If you are going to be flying in or around the USA likely to be flying in turbulence. Take Off Flying Weather Conditions For take off a consideration will be the component of the wind that is blowing across, rather than down, the runway  the crosswind factor. All aircraft have a certified maximum cross wind limit in which they are cleared to take off or land. In a light aircraft this may be as little as 15knots for an airliner it is as much as 45 knots. In the unlikely event that the wind is outside the documented limits the flight will be delayed or cancelled. Landing Flying Weather Conditions For landing, there are also cross wind limits and these may vary depending on the landing technique to be employed and also on the runway conditions. If the weather is outside limits at the destination the pilot will either hold, if the forecast suggests an imminent improvement, or divert. The pilot will not operate the aircraft outside the documented limits.

Aircraft Structure in Bad Flying Weather Conditions You may be wondering about the structure of the aircraft flying in turbulence? When aircraft are air tested they are stressed to an extent that it is almost impossible to replicate in flight. There is no possibility of parts of the airframe being broken off by extreme weather. If an aircraft does encounter severe turbulence the pilot will report this fact when landing and the aircraft will be checked by an engineer before it next flies. Safety is the first priority of all airlines. Pilot Priorities in Bad Flying Weather Conditions On the subject of priorities, be aware that the pilot will always put his duties of flying the aircraft first and foremost. If, in bad weather conditions, there is no news from the flight deck do not assume the worst. Try to relate it to your experiences of driving in bad weather  do you converse with your passengers or do you concentrate on the road? As soon as the workload in the cockpit diminishes your pilot will talk to you and let you know what is going on. I hope that by telling you more about flying in turbulence and its effect on the aircraft and flights, you discover that knowledge begins to diminish fear.

Never forget that the pilot wants to get home to his loved ones too this particular pilot has a young son and wife to whom he likes to return each evening.

Question: Tonitrophobia is the fear of which weather condition?
Answer: Thunder