Fear of Thunderstorms and Lightning - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

higher sunshine · 09-22-2007, 03:26 PM

I have a terrifying fear of Thunderstorms and Lightning. It is to the point where I do not even want to go outside to walk to my car. The people that I used to work with would laugh at me until I broke down crying one day. When I'm in the car it is not so bad, but I know that I have to get out at some point and the storm could still be out there. Is there anyone else with this issue. I also don't like spiders much.

seriousperson · 09-22-2007, 10:47 PM

My mother has had that fear since she was a teen and she's in her late 70's now.

But the fact that you are aware of it as an irrational fear (irrational with regards to the extent of your fear) indicates that you would like to get over this fear. If you want to overcome it badly enough, there are methods, both pharmaceutical and through therapy. You may want to read about Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) in which you gradually overcome the fear by exposing yourself to the thunder and lightning in increasing amounts. I'm not entirely sure how that would work since you can't count on storms to occur on a daily or even weekly basis. Maybe you would use tape recordings of thunder and have someone flash the lights on and off while it played. I know that sounds a little silly, but it might work.

crankin · 09-23-2007, 03:04 AM

As far as spiders go. That is a legitimate fear. Every man woman and child is afraid on one of three things. Spiders(bugs), Snakes, or Rats(rodents). Me it's spiders. Snakes and rodents have no effect on me whatsoever so. I say that to say this. Don't worry about being afraid of spiders.

As for the Thunder and lighting. The boom is startling for everyone, I mean when it get REALLY REALLY loud, I might get a little nervous just because it's so BIG and powerful, but I'll still go outside. I won't freeze up. But I think you should try doing this.

Find a local gun range in your town, and go there. Rent a gun, and shoot it. Just expose your self to those loud thunderous bangs. After a few months you won't even flinch at a loud crack it will be second nature to you. This is basically what they do to soldiers to prepare them for battle. They fire live rounds over their heads and keep shooting at them until they are longer afraid of being shot at. You need to do the same thing start off with gun blast. May I recommend a high caliber like a .44 or .45 which will make a really loud noise. Once you build up that tolerance for loud cracks, and you no longer flinch at booms. Watch the weather channel, and chase down some storms and just go sit in them. You have a better chance of dying in a car crash than getting hit by lighting, but you feel safer in your car. That's kinda backwards.

Do this and I think you'll be fine.

higher sunshine · 09-23-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seriousperson

My mother has had that fear since she was a teen and she's in her late 70's now.

But the fact that you are aware of it as an irrational fear (irrational with regards to the extent of your fear) indicates that you would like to get over this fear. If you want to overcome it badly enough, there are methods, both pharmaceutical and through therapy. You may want to read about Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) in which you gradually overcome the fear by exposing yourself to the thunder and lightning in increasing amounts. I'm not entirely sure how that would work since you can't count on storms to occur on a daily or even weekly basis. Maybe you would use tape recordings of thunder and have someone flash the lights on and off while it played. I know that sounds a little silly, but it might work.

higher sunshine · 09-23-2007, 12:57 PM

Thank you, I think I will go get one of those nature recordings. I will try this before I venture to the outdoors.