Anemois the Greek root word for wind and might be more familiar to those who use technology that measure wind, like an anemograph or anemometer.
Anemophobia, sometimes called ancraophobia, is thefear of windand is one of a wide variety of weather-relatedphobias. Some people are afraid of drafts, or gentle breezes, while others are afraid of gusty winds.
Diagnosing Anemophobia
Phobias are fairly common, and it is estimated that 8 to 12% of Americans have one or more phobias.Anemophobia is considered a “specific phobia” under the natural/environmental subtype according to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Phobias are diagnosed when there is an ongoing and intense fear of objects or situations, and the fear causes distress and dysfunction in one’s life. These phobias may be severe and are often life-limiting.
Specific Phobia DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
Symptoms of Anemophobia
Someone with anemophobia may see signs of wind outside their window, and begin to feel symptoms of anxiety, including heart palpitations, hyperventilation, trembling, and panic. Thoughts may start racing toward hypothetical catastrophic scenarios and concern for your safety. There is a tendency to avoid experiences that may expose you to wind, which may result in missed opportunities and isolation.
What Does It Mean to Be ‘Triggered’
The Link Between Anemophobia and Weather Phobias
Anemophobia is often, though not always, related to other weather-based phobias.Lilapsophobiais thefear of tornadoes or hurricanes, whileastraphobiais the fear of more run-of-the-mill weather events such asthunder and lightning.
Many people with anemophobia based on another weather phobia may not be afraid of the wind itself but of the wind signifying the possibility of an upcoming storm.Most people with this fear have witnessed or experienced something traumatic related to weather. This typically begins in childhood when fear of storms is fairly common.
Anemophobia in Children
Like many phobias, anemophobia, particularly the fear of severe storms, is relatively common in children and adolescents.Kids are not always able to make sense of the world around them, and infrequent events may be startling or intensely frightening. Consequently, phobias are typically not diagnosed in children unless they persist for at least six months.
If your child has a mild fear of wind, try focusing on playtime activities that utilize the wind in positive ways. Fly kites and experiment with real or toy sailboats. Go outside and talk about how much fun it is to let the wind blow through your hair. Of course, if your child’s fear is especially severe or long-lasting, seek the guidance of a trained mental health professional.
Anemophobia in Adults
Loss of Identity
Some people with anemophobia may worry that a strong wind will blow away items of financial or sentimental value. Others are possibly concerned that a particularly gusty wind will tear apart their home.
This type of anemophobia is often rooted in the fear of losing personal identity and may be more common in those who have survived a tornado, a hurricane, or some other severe weather disaster.
Loss of Control
Like the fear of losing personal identity, the fear of losing control may be at the heart of air-related phobias. Like all weather phenomena, wind is unpredictable and beyond our control.
Those whofear losing controlof their lives and surroundings may be at an increased risk for air-related phobias.
Medical Phobias
Managing Your Fears
Some fears can be alleviated with adequate self-care and learning relaxation strategies. Staying physically healthy, minimizing stress, and maintaining balance in your life can create more tolerance and resilience to life’s challenges.
5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life
Sometimes misinformation can fuel our fears. Educating yourself about the object or situation that you are afraid of may alleviate some of the fearful thoughts contributing to your phobia. Some examples:
If self-help strategies are not enough, consider seeking professional assistance with any fear that causes you to limit your daily activities. Therapists trained incognitive-behavioral therapyare familiar with strategies that help reduce or eliminate phobias. If needed, medication may be prescribed temporarily to help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety that can be particularly disabling.
Conditions Exposure Therapy Could Benefit
A Word from Verywell
If you believe you have a phobia related to wind, weather, or anything else, you are not alone. The experience can be distressing and cause disruption to your well being and flow of life. There are strategies you can learn to overcome your fears and live a more satisfying life. Don’t be afraid to contact a professional for assistance. Some phobias can be eliminated quickly with the help of an expert.
How to Find a Therapist
12 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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