In autumn, bad weather often makes its return. Rain, hail, thunderstorms … The shape varies, but the weather conditions are rarely mild. The problem ? Some people are terrified by this capricious weather. And this phobia has a name: ombrophobia.
Ombrophobia, what exactly is it?
In the pathological sense, ombrophobia is a phobic fear of rain, hail and thunderstorms (from the Greek ombros, which means “rain”, and phobos, “fear”).
If this term is not commonly used in the field of psychology, ombrophobia would still receive a number of people. According to the American site All about Cats, it is even the most important fear of the French.
Rain, wind, thunderstorm … The trigger factors of phobia
Concretely, “This fear can manifest itself at the time of a hail, a thunderstorm or strong bad weather“Explains Canadian Magazine Urbania.”And this, at the sight or the sound of the rain. “
The ombrophobic person then tries by all means to avoid rain, especially by staying at home. Nevertheless, this tactic is not strategic, estimates the psychologist Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier.
“”Avoidance is a factor in maintaining anxiety which is linked to this natural element“She explains in the Canadian media.
What are the symptoms of ombrophobia?
On the side of symptoms, the individual concerned can see his heart rate is accelerating, as is the case during a crisis of anxiety, but he can also suffer from hyperventilation, excess perspiration and nausea. Reactions, not very obvious to manage.
“”This irrational anxiety of rain, which may seem harmless at first, can become a real hell for those who suffer from it, especially when falling“Confirms Amélie Boukhobza, clinical psychologist.”Between the showers, the gray days that extend, each drop of water becomes a threat. It is a phobia, much more common than you think, which can go to some until you avoid going out, constantly scrutinizing the weather, or even commenting to feel a real panic just at the idea of seeing even a cloud “, she adds.
Treatment: How to overcome ombrophobia?
Contrary to popular belief, ombrophobia can be treated.
“”There are solutions to learn to manage this fear and find an almost normal life. The TBehavioral and cognitive herapy (TCC) is always effective in the case of phobias. It makes it possible to face the irrational thoughts linked to the rain, by gradually reintroducing exposure to anxiety -provoking situations. EMDR can also be an option to treat the trauma or the event that may have triggered this fear. Obviously, relaxation or meditation can be useful to soothe tensions when anxiety points to its nose “, concludes the expert.
If you suffer from ombrophobia, the best option is therefore to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Only a professional can assess your symptoms and history.
Faq
What is the name of the thunderstorm phobia?
The fear of the storm is designated by several specific terms according to the dreaded aspect:
- L’astraphobia concerns the fear of lightning,
- there brontophobia that of thunder, and
- there keraunophobia more precisely designates the fear of lightning.
- Ombrophobiaon the other hand, more broadly includes fear of bad weather including rain and thunderstorms.
What are the most common phobias?
Among the most widespread phobias, Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) is at the top of the list worldwide. It is followed by social phobia, which is characterized by intense anxiety in situations of social interaction. Next come agoraphobia (fear of public spaces and crowds), claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), and hypocondria (obsession with disease).
THE phobias linked to natural elementslike ombrophobia and brontophobia, are also very common, particularly in France where ombrophobia would even be one of the most wanted phobias on the Internet.
Does ombrophobia only affect children?
No, ombrophobia can affect people of all ages, even if studies show that Young children are particularly sensitive to it. This irrational fear of rain and thunderstorms often develops following a traumatic experience, whether during childhood or adulthood. Research indicates that ombrophobia is present in more than a third of the countries of the world and is one of the atypical phobias which affect approximately 10 % of the world’s population. If children can express their fear in a more visible way (tears, crises), adults generally develop more elaborate avoidance strategies, such as obsessive weather surveillance or refusal to get out on rainy days.