Thunder and lightning.. very very frightening?

Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightning, and is also known as astrapophobia, brontophobia, tonitrophobia or keraunophobia. It is one of the few phobias that is observable in both humans and animals, and is fortunately a treatable phobia.

Astraphobia is a fear of thunder and lightning that goes beyond the ‘normal’ fear of what can understandably be frightening displays of the power of nature. In astraphobia the phobia will interfere with the individual’s ability to continue with their normal activities and will prevent them from living a full and normal life – certainly during the thunderstorms at least.

The symptoms of astraphobia vary widely but generally are based around feelings of anxiousness which coincide with thunder and lightning. Someone who has astraphobia will find that during thunderstorms they tend experience the following:

• Anxiousness

• Racing thoughts

• Rapid breathing and heartbeat

• Potential panic attack

• Trembling

• Crying

• Sweating

• Feelings of dread

• Desire to find shelter/comfort

Often the individual will attempt to smother the sound of the thunder and may attempt to seek shelter under bed clothes or in cupboards etc. Of course they would likely refuse to go outside during a thunderstorm, and this could then get in the way of their usual activities. In order to be defined as astraphobia, the reaction must be proportionate to the level of actual risk.

Let me help you take control of this fear with hypnotherapy, so you no longer need to fear storms and the potential of thunder and lightning.