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The fear of natural phenomena like darkness, wind, storms, and especially thunder and lightning, are very common from childhood to adult. A certain level of concern is logical, especially in extreme circumstances. Phobias develop when the fear becomes irrational and debilitating.
Light and Dark
Fear of the dark is experienced often in childhood. There is the sense that something menacing, sinister, or catastrophic is about to happen. This fear lessens as a person ages and feel they can explain the world around them. It becomes more logical and less menacing. Some who experience nightmares or recall traumatic experiences may continue to suffer from a fear of the dark into adulthood. Gradual exposure to darkness can be helpful to reduce the effects of this fear.
- Fear of darkness: Achluophobia; Lygophobia; Myctophobia; Nyctophobia
- Fear of the night: Noctiphobia
- Fear of dark wooded areas or of forests at night: Nyctohylophobia
Those that suffer from a fear of daylight may actually suffer from other issues, such as being uncomfortable around people, a fear of open spaces, or they find the light just too bright.
- Fear of dawn or daylight: Eosophobia
- Fear of the sun: Heliophobia
- Fear of daylight or sunshine: Phengophobia
- Fear of light: Photophobia
Natural Phenomena
During extreme weather conditions it is sensible to take precautions. Concern for our safety is appropriate if danger is imminent. The level of symptoms experienced by people with phobias about natural phenomena can vary from a gnawing anxiety to very severe panic and terror.
- Fear of thunder and lightning: Astraphobia; Astrapophobia; Brontophobia; Ceraunophobia; Keraunophobia; Tonitrophobia
- Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes: Lilapsophobia
- Fear of meteors: Meteorophobia
- Fear of Northern lights: Auroraphobia
- Fear of air drafts or wind: Ancraophobia; Anemophobia
- Fear of gravity: Barophobia
- Fear of extreme cold, ice or frost:: Cryophobia
- Fear of waves or wave like motions: Cymophobia; Kymophobia
- Fear of rain or of being rained on: Pluviophobia
The symptoms of these phobias can often be reduced through a process of desensitization; gradual exposure to the things they fear in order to overcome them. Working with a self-help group, where they can get support from others who have a similar situation can help to bolster the courage and determination it takes to succeed.
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