How to Treat Extreme Weather Phobia

Cory Kara
3 min readDec 11, 2015

Humans have quick reflexes which are involuntary. It occurs even before you have time to think. It’s natural that when you experience a natural calamity or extreme weather change, all your senses are activated. It is also normal to be afraid of a life threatening weather. However, some people also suffer from extreme anxiety during these situations which affects their decision making capability and makes them less reactive.

It is estimated that one in 10 Americans suffers from severe weather phobia, the fear of extreme weather. Weather phobia has recently been observed in some people owing to hurricanes, wildfires or tornadoes. Due to such a mental condition, people suffering from weather phobia may feel helpless.

According to Dr. Ron Glassman, who specializes in treatment of fear, phobia and anxiety, “More than 25 percent of people suffer from a fear or phobia of something, of which, 1 percent of people will have a fear or phobia of something related to weather, with thunder and lightning topping the list.”

Severe weather phobia

Psychologist Karen Multon from the University of Kansas along with geographer Jill S.M. Coleman from the Ball State University surveyed 300 people about their weather anxieties. The study, published by the American Meteorological Society, showed that an estimated 2 to 3 percent of the population had some form of environmental phobia and weather phobias were just one of the types of phobia originated under the term anxiety.

The people reported varied symptoms such as constantly checking weather reports, scheduling their work according to the weather, feeling dizzy, increased heart rate, loss of sleep. In the survey, it was surprising to know 5 percent of the respondents suffered from severe weather phobia. Almost 15 percent said they were unsure if they had or they could experience a situation of panic. The rest 80% had never experienced the extreme weather phobic situation. Each respondent had a different degree of anxiety and offering them a single step of exposure therapy would be difficult.

The respondents showed signs of weather-related phobias, including cionophobia (fear of snow), astraphobia (abnormal fear of thunder and lightning), anemophobia (fear of wind), lilapsophobia (fear of tornadoes and/or hurricanes), heliophobia (fear of sunlight), aluchophobia (fear of darkness), or cryophobia (fear of ice or frost).

Thanks to the advancement in technology that people are now aware and have tools to safeguard themselves, especially for those who may get an anxiety attack with just a thought of something. During a natural calamity, they can at least stay updated and connected with their loved ones.

Treatment

There is no separate treatment for these phobias. You may not be able to avoid the phobia by merely changing a location. Changing the geographic area will not change the state of affairs, as the feeling or fear will remain the same whenever you encounter the same type of weather again. Learn to relax — sit back or lie down, do slow and deep breathing.

Weather related phobia can be treated by self-help if the degree of suffering is mild, or take help of a professional therapist. In severe cases, professional therapy may be required along with anxiety medication to control panic attacks.

You may not be able to totally cure, but can control the phobia. You may also be suffering from a phobia due to a natural disaster like a hurricane, tsunami, or a tornado that may be associated with some bad memories. In this case, please see a counsellor or speak with a professional as severe stress can be harmful to both the body and mind.

The Anxiety Treatment Centers of California is available at your service 24/7. Phobia treatment centers California cater to patients of all ages, prioritizing the welfare of each and every one. Our representatives will help connect you with the best phobic disorders treatment in California that offer cutting edge treatment plans, designed to specifically serve individualized needs. If you or a loved one is struggling, call us right away at 855–972–9459.

--

--