What is Brontophobia ?

Also known as astraphobia, brontophobia is a condition in which the individual experiences an extreme fear of lighting and thunder. This type of phobia is often present in a mild form with young children, but normally begins to subside as the child enters adolescence. Household pets also sometimes exhibit this fear of thunder and lighting as well. However, there are instances in which adults develop this type of phobia, often to an extent that it inhibits their ability to engage in simple tasks like shopping, reading, or handling work projects during severe storms.

While many people view brontophobia as a relatively benign issue, that is rarely the case for anyone who suffers from the condition. When lightning bolts appear in the skies or the sound of distant thunder reaches the ears of the brontophobic, anxiety begins to mount. In mild cases, the individual will usually practice some type of avoidance. This can include putting off traveling during the storm, closing draperies on windows, and moving to the center of the home in an attempt to isolate oneself from the storm as possible.