Astraphobia

Astraphobia, also known as astrapophobia,

Astraphobia
brontophobia, keraunophobia, or tonitrophobia is
an abnormal fear of thunder and lightning or an Other names Brontophobia
unwarranted fear of scattered and/or isolated
thunderstorms, a type of specific phobia. It is a treatable
phobia that both humans and animals can develop. The
term astraphobia is composed of the Greek words
ἀστραπή (astrape; lightning) and φόβος (phobos; fear).

Contents
Signs and symptoms Lightning strikes during a storm
Children Specialty Psychology
Treatment
Dogs and cats
See also
References

Signs and symptoms

A person with astraphobia will often feel anxious during a thunderstorm even when they understand that
the threat to them is minimal. Some symptoms are those accompanied with many phobias, such as
trembling, crying, sweating, panicked reactions, the sudden feeling of using the bathroom, nausea, the
feeling of dread, insertion of the fingers in the ears, and rapid heartbeat. However, there are some reactions
that are unique to astraphobia. For instance, reassurance from other people is usually sought, and symptoms
worsen when alone. Many people who have astraphobia will look for extra shelter from the storm.[1] They
might hide underneath a bed, under the covers, in a closet, in a basement, or any other space where they
feel safer. Efforts are usually made to smother the sound of the thunder; the person may cover their ears or
curtain the windows.

A typical sign that someone has astraphobia is a very heightened interest in weather forecasts. A person
with astraphobia may be alert for news of incoming storms. They may watch the weather on television
constantly during rainy bouts and may even track thunderstorms online. This can become severe enough
that the person may not go outside without checking the weather first. This can lead to anxiety and in very
extreme cases, agoraphobia, the fear of leaving the home.[2]

Children
In 2007, scientists found astraphobia is the third most prevalent phobia in the US.[3] It can occur in people
of any age. It occurs in many children, and should not be immediately identified as a phobia because
children naturally go through many fears as they mature. Their fear of thunder and lightning cannot be
considered a fully developed phobia unless it persists for more than six months. In this case, the child's
phobia should be addressed, for it may become a serious problem in adulthood.

To lessen a child's fear during thunderstorms, the child can be distracted by games and activities. A bolder
approach is to treat the storm as an entertainment.

Treatment
The most widely used and possibly the most effective treatment for astraphobia is exposure to
thunderstorms and eventually building an immunity. Some other treatment methods include Cognitive
behavioral therapy[4] (CBT) and Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). The patient will in many cases be
instructed to repeat phrases to himself or herself in order to become calm during a storm. Heavy breathing
exercises can reinforce this effort.

Dogs and cats

Dogs may exhibit severe anxiety during thunderstorms; between 15 and 30 percent may be affected.[5]
Research confirms high levels of cortisol - a hormone associated with stress - affects dogs during and after
thunderstorms.[5] Remedies include behavioral therapies such as counter conditioning and desensitization,
anti-anxiety medications, and dog appeasing pheromone, a synthetic analogue of a hormone secreted by
nursing canine mothers.[6]

Studies have also shown that cats can be afraid of thunderstorms. Whilst it is less common, cats have been
known to hide under a table or behind a couch during a thunderstorm.[7]

Generally if any animal is anxious during a thunderstorm or any similar, practically harmless event (e.g.
fireworks display), it is advised to simply continue behaving normally, instead of attempting to comfort
animals.

See also
Lilapsophobia
List of phobias

References
1. Johnson, Trevor "Fear of Thunder - Dealing With Astraphobia." Fear of Thunder- Dealing
with Astraphobia. 30 Jan. 2009. EzineArticles.com. 14 Oct 2009
2. Lalramengmawii (May 2020). "A Case of Astraphobia Induce Severe Anxiety in Human" (htt
ps://www.proquest.com/openview/09ba39adc8791548abf8afebda49126b/1?pq-origsite=gsc
holar&cbl=54977). Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 12: 656–657.
3. Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer (2008). Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and
Behavior (https://books.google.com/books?id=vw20LEaJe10C&q=astraphobia+prevalence
&pg=PA482). Cengage Publishing. p. 482. ISBN 978-0-495-59911-1.
4. Fritscher, Lisa Astraphobia - Fear of Thunder and Lightning (http://phobias.about.com/od/ph
obiaslist/a/astraphobia.htm). 30 Apr. 2011. About.com. Retrieved on 30 June 2014.
5. "Research aimed at finding way to soothe thunderstorm-stressed doggos" (https://archive.to
day/20121214221557/http://live.psu.edu/story/41769/nw69). Pennsylvania State University.
 Archived from the original (http://live.psu.edu/story/41769/nw69) on 2012-12-14. Retrieved
2010-05-21.
6. "There's Hope for Thunder-Phobic Dogs" (http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/petcols_artic
le_page.php?PETCOLID=335&URL=0). University of Illinois. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
7. Cato (2010-08-03). "Thunderstorms Phobia in Cats – Cats and Thunderstorms" (http://our-ca
ts.com/2010/08/thunderstorms-phobia-in-cats-cats-and-thunderstorms/). Our-cats.com.
Retrieved 2011-10-26.

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