Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesDiagnostic CriteriaTreatment OptionsCoping with LilapsophobiaLilapsophobia in Popular Culture
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnostic Criteria
Treatment Options
Coping with Lilapsophobia
Lilapsophobia in Popular Culture
What Is Lilapsophobia?
Lilapsophobia is the fear of tornadoes or hurricanes and is thought to be the more severe type ofastraphobia, which is the fear of thunder and lightening storms.Lilapsophobia is what’s known as aspecific phobia, which the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes as “an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger.”
This article covers the definition of lilapsophobia, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
The Psychology of Fear
Symptoms of Lilapsophobia
Many of us have fears of inclement weather, and fear can be adaptive. For example, adaptive fear of storms can help a person be prepared for weather-related emergencies and motivate them to seek shelter when they need to. The symptoms of lilapsophobia, however, are not adaptive. In fact, they are often debilitating and actually prevent a person from functioning during a storm crisis.
Symptoms of lilapsophobia include:
While it is rational to check weather forecasts before outdoor activities, if you have lilapsophobia, the weather controls your life. You may find yourself engaging in some of the following unhealthy coping behaviors:
Over time, you might find that your daily activities become more and more restricted.
Causes of Lilapsophobia
If you have been through a truly devastating storm experience such as Hurricane Katrina, it is particularly important to seek professional advice. In addition to lilapsophobia, it is possible that you are experiencingpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Lilapsophobia, like many phobias, may also be learned. If your parents, friends, or relatives are afraid of tornadoes or hurricanes, you may have picked up their fear.
If phobias run in your family, you may be more likely to develop one yourself. Studies note that similar to most mental health disorders, like other anxiety disorders and mood disorders, phobias seem to have a genetic influence.
There may also be another fear underlying your lilapsophobia. Research indicates that thefear of deathactually plays a role in the predisposition to multiple mental health disorders. Speaking with a mental health professional can help you to understand what factors contribute to your lilapsophobia.
Criteria for Lilapsophobia Diagnosis
TheDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)has criteria for clinicians to use to diagnose a specific phobia.Phobias are broken down intosubtypes, including animal, weather, medical, situational, and ‘other’ fears. Lilapsophobia is obviously in the weather subtype.
A doctor or mental health professional uses certain criteria to diagnose a phobia. If a patient answers “yes” to most of the following questions, it is likely they have a true phobia:
Lilapsophobia in Children
Because fears are a normal part of childhood development, phobias are generally not diagnosed in children unless they persist for more than six months.Try to reassure your child about the relative rarity of major storms and explain your storm readiness procedures to them.
Of course, if their symptoms persist and your child is displaying unusual displays of anxiety, be sure to talk to a doctor about their fear.
Treatment Options for Lilapsophobia
Therapy
There areseveral optionsto choose from when treating anxiety disorders and phobias. A psychotherapist can work with you to examine the root causes of your phobia and gain an understanding of how anxiety is disrupting your life.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)has been consistently shown to be effective in lessening the symptoms of specific phobias.In CBT, the therapist helps you identifydistorted thinking patternsthat fuel worry and anxiety and teaches you ways you canreframe your thoughtsabout the object of your phobia to make it less frightening.
Your therapist may also useexposure therapy, which involves systematic desensitization or flooding techniques. Before you get started, you will learn relaxation and distraction techniques.
Relaxation Response for Reversing Stress
A therapist might work with you until you’re able to see a photo of a hurricane or watch news coverage, for instance, without experiencing debilitating anxiety. If you’re afraid of going outside, even in mild storms, you might set a goal in therapy to work toward stepping outside in the rain without feeling anxious.
Hypnotherapyhas also been shown to help people with specific phobias. A hypnotherapist will discuss your fear with you as well as the triggers related to your phobia. You’ll be guided into a hypnotic state so the therapist can offer your subconscious suggestions to overcome certain feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
However, if your phobia stems from post-traumatic stress disorder, then other types of therapy may be more appropriate. Your therapist will be able to diagnose the root of your phobia and prescribe the best course of action.
The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.
Medication
A doctor might recommend a combination of therapy and medication to help you cope with symptoms of lilapsophobia.
Medications prescribed for phobias includeantidepressantssuch asselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can help lessen anxiety and regulate mood.
In certain cases,anti-anxiety medicationssuch as benzodiazepines likeXanax (alprazolam)may be prescribed. However,benzodiazepinescan be habit-forming. If prescribed, it’s generally advised they are taken only for short periods under the close supervision of a healthcare provider.
An alternative or supplement to seeking help from a mental health professional, you might explore other resources to cope with your lilapsophobia. Living a healthy lifestyle, engaging with support groups, and other self-help strategies can be helpful for people with specific phobias.
How to Face Your Fears When You Want to Tackle Them Head-On
Lifestyle Changes
Trying to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle will help reduce overall anxiety levels. Eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and getting enough rest are critical in maintaining our mental and physical health.
Support Groups
Support groups can be helpful for people with specific phobias. Even if others in the group have different phobias than you, sharing your experience can be therapeutic.
Hearing from other people about how they handle their own phobia-relatedtriggersand stressors in their daily lives can give you inspiration andmotivationto cope with your lilapsophobia.
To find an accessible phobia support group while searching the internet, you can ask a mental health professional for assistance finding one. Some online therapy services, like Talkspace, can help you find a support group that meets virtually as well.
Resources and Support for Coping With Phobias
Tornadoes and hurricanes are a part of life, and today’s media offers the opportunity to view devastating storms and their aftermath repeatedly and in vivid detail. Although news coverage is certainly important, it is equally important to put such coverage into perspective.
While small weather events happen frequently, only severe storms are deemed newsworthy. Media coverage can easily lead to a skewed belief that serious storms are much more common than they actually are. You may want to avoid watching too much coverage of even mild weather if you find it worsens your symptoms of lilapsophobia.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a phobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a phobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Final Thoughts
It can be challenging and frustrating to cope with lilapsophobia. It might seem like your anxiety and fear are constantly triggered, making it difficult to function in your daily life. Know that you’re not alone in dealing with a specific phobia, and there are resources to help you. To get started, talk to a mental health professional, consider attending regular therapy sessions, and try some mindfulness exercises to begin to relieve your anxiety.
List of Phobias: Common Phobias From A to Z
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