Brontophobia

Brontophobia

Often packaged together with astraphobia, which is the fear of thunderstorms, or keraunophobia, the fear of lightening, brontophobia is specifically the fear of thunder. One of the ten most common phobias in the world, this fear is actually present in both humans and animals. While a person may rationally understand that the thunder holds no danger for them, this often fails to ease their fears and without help a sufferer can become truly agitated during storms. Most common in children, this is still a very real fear that many people suffer from even into adulthood, which is why we offer online therapy for brontophobia here at Mentaline.com. First, however, here is a closer look at the symptoms and dangers associated with brontophobia.

Symptoms of Brontophobia 

People who suffer from brontophobia will often be filled with anxiety during thunderstorms, even if they are safely in their home. Like most phobias, panic attacks, crying, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat can all occur while the person is in the grip of their fear. Unique to this group of fears, however, is the interesting fact that most brontophobics will search out company to reassure them during a storm. This can drastically reduce the severity of their symptoms. People with brontophobia may also try to “hide” from a storm, covering their ears or climbing into closets. They will also pay attention to the possibility of an oncoming storm much more closely than other people, feeling an impending sense of dread that likely worsens their symptoms.

Dangers of Brontophobia 

In extreme cases, brontophobics can become obsessed with watching weather reports and tracking storms during rainy weather. Sometimes, they may even refuse to leave the house without checking the weather first to know that they are going to be “safe” from the object of their fear. Occasionally this even leads into a kind of agoraphobia, where the sufferer refuses to leave their house because no place else is safe. The panic attacks can also have a detrimental effect on a person's body, with symptoms getting worse over time if not treated correctly.

Treatment for Brontophobia 

Distraction is often the first key to treating brontophobia, which is one of the reasons having company during a storm can help abate the symptoms. If the phobia is more severe, then professional help may be required. Here at Mentaline.com, you can find therapists who offer online therapy to help sufferers of brontophobia and their families understand and harness the fear related to this phobia. The therapists and  professional counselors on Mentaline.com can give guidance while the online counseling can offer much needed emotional support.

Definition of Brontophobia

Brontophobia is characterized by a severe and often irrational fear of thunder that lasts longer than six months of a person’s life. Treatment options include therapy and counseling.

Symptoms of / Reasons for Brontophobia

• Anxiety during thunderstorms
• A marked interest or even obsession with tracking weather patterns
• The need to seek out company during a storm
• A desire to hide from the storm
• An unwillingness to leave one’s house due to the potential danger of storms

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