Hello thanks for helping me out. As you've probably guessed by reading the title of the topic I have Astraphobia, which is a fear of thunder and lightning. I'm hoping some of you can give me advice on what I should do with my phobia. It's horrible to live with it, and it takes over my life. The sight of dark clouds worries me, even a heavy downpour will get me literally sick to my stomach with worry. I can't quite pin-point what I think might happen, but when I think about it hard, it's the fear of being struck by lightening, and at the complete mercy of harmful nature! At the moment, theirs thunderstorms forecasted for this evening and I'm already tense, constantly glancing at the sky, and gritting my teeth. During a thunder and lightening storm, I feel helpless, like theirs nowhere to hide, and vulnerable.

I don't know exactly what caused the phobia. A few years ago, their was a heavy hail downpour that had me a little on the edge, but I wasn't too worried about it, which makes me think the phobia came on slowly at first. During the same hail downpour, a bolt of lightening struck my backyard about 15 to 20 yards from me which was one of the most terrifying moments of my life. Ever since... the phobia has been as worse as it can get... and it interferes with my every day activities.

Is there anything at all I can do or try to get over this? Please help.