Severe Weather Phobia: What it is and What Triggers this Anxiety

A phobia is when you have an irrational fear of something. It is often accompanied by symptoms that are much like what someone with an anxiety disorder would experience. There are so many different types of phobias out there that have been given a name. Some of the most common ones that you may have already heard of include a fear of spiders (arachnophobia), a fear of being confined to spaces (claustrophobia), and a fear of dentists (dental phobia). Of course, it is possible to have a phobia to just about anything.

What is Severe Weather Phobia?

One of the types of phobias which has recently been given a name is severe weather phobia, or as you can probably guess, a fear of bad or severe weather. Though some people are afraid of ice storms that occur in the winter, most people who suffer from severe weather phobia are afraid of thunder, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes. Some are even afraid of rain. Since the most common time for all of these different types of weather storms occur is the summer, it is during this time that many people find that severe weather phobia interferes with regular life activities.

What is the Difference Between Fear and Phobia?

Many people who have an irrational fear of severe weather tend to find themselves afraid or even unwilling to leave their homes if they know that the weather forecast predicts bad or severe weather. While being somewhat afraid of severe weather is considered to be a normality, it is considered a phobia when you are too afraid to even live your house to go to work when you know that a storm could be on its way tomorrow or even a week from tomorrow.

What are Some Characteristics of Severe Weather Phobia?

There are a number of different characteristics of severe weather phobia. One of the main characteristics is that you are, of course, overly afraid of the possibility of severe weather. You may find yourself experiencing panic attack-like symptoms, including a fast heartbeat, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest pains, sweats and chills - to name a few. Some people even claim that they are afraid to eat when they know that severe weather is coming. Not only will you be concerned about your safety, but you will also be concerned about the safety of your loved ones. Many people with severe weather phobia will consistently watch the Weather Channel to check for any weather updates or warnings. They will also check their basements to make sure that they are prepared for severe weather.

What Triggers Severe Weather Phobia?

One of the main things that you may be wondering is what triggers severe weather phobia. It is important to keep in mind that, much like any other type of phobia, severe weather phobia can affect just about anyone. However, it seems to be more common among people who have already experienced very severe weather at one point in time. In fact, studies have shown that over seventy percent of people who are severe weather phobics were a victim of severe weather earlier in life. Some people who have this type of phobia saw the damage that severe weather can cause on television, which may have triggered their phobia. It typically is most common for severe weather phobia to begin affecting you at an early age, though it is also possible for you to develop it later in life.