What is lilapsophobia?
You may have lilapsophobia if you have an abnormal fear of tornadoes or hurricanes. The official diagnosis for this is “specific phobia,” meaning that it causes fear of a particular situation. Often, the fear isn’t rational and much greater than the actual risk of danger.
People with a specific phobia may have many phobias. People with lilapsophobia may also have:
- Astraphobia: Fear of thunder and lightning.
- Autophobia: Fear of being alone.
- Dystychiphobia: Fear of accidents.
- Ombrophobia: Fear of rain.
- Thanatophobia: Fear of death.
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What is a phobia?
It’s natural to be fearful of things that make us feel unsafe or uncomfortable. These often include flying, needle pokes or snake and wildlife encounters. These situations may make you feel anxious, but thoughts of them don’t disrupt your daily life.
Phobias are more intense and can worsen over time. They cause an abnormal level of fear. It may be difficult to get a phobia off your mind. You may go out of your way to avoid situations that trigger the phobia. These efforts can overtake rational thinking and affect your quality of life.
Do I have lilapsophobia?
Hurricanes and tornadoes are intense storms with the potential for community-wide damage. They occur in specific areas of the country under particular weather conditions.
Many people living in areas prone to hurricanes or tornadoes feel uneasy about them, especially during storm season. But if you have lilapsophobia, you live your life as if you’re constantly under threat. Thinking about hurricanes or tornadoes can cause intense fear or anxiety. That fear may occasionally become overwhelming and trigger panic attacks.
If you’re experiencing signs of lilapsophobia, discuss your concerns with a healthcare professional. You should be honest with them about how the fears are affecting your daily life. They can offer reassurance and connect you with helpful therapies.
