Treating Brontophobia, The Fear Of Lightning and Thunder With Hypnosis
Millions people everywhere are afraid of thunder and lightning, a widespread condition named brontophobia. For as long as this condition has been around, people have been seeking out ways to fight it. Presently there is a variety of treatment selections used. To help eliminate this phobia, experts call for specific hypnosis techniques that are shown successful in relieving common fears.
Brontophobia sufferers experience an overblown fear of thunder and lightning. Loud, startling thunder and cracks of lightning can set off nervousness and anxiety attacks in brontophobia sufferers. Other symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, sweating, and a strong sensation of fear, which increases until a person becomes sick.
For lots of people, the fear of thunder and lightning develops at an early age, when as children, we hide under the covers during a bad storm. Brontophobia can be particularly difficult for young children. Many scared children feel powerless during bad weather, and their parents may also feel powerless to help them cope with their phobia.
In spite of its frequency in children, brontophobia can develop at any time in life, often after someone has an experience such as getting shocked, which reminds them of a lightning strike. A traumatic event such as surviving a tropical storm can also trigger a fear of thunder and lightning.
Some people may come to link loud noises, the sensation of pain, or shock with rainy weather, which can result in a phobia. Brontophobia is so common that it’s even seen in some animals; for example, many people report that their pet dogs seem upset during thundering.
Brontophobia sufferers try to avoid seeing or hearing storms. They may suffer nervousness during natural disasters such as tornadoes. This can endanger them if they cannot function in a situation which requires them to keep calm and respond quickly.
Brontophobia sufferers may come to despise storm season, often struggling during times of the year when storms are common. They might continually check weather conditions and behave extra cautiously during bouts of bad weather. To people without a phobia, these behaviors may seem obsessive and highly paranoid. People afflicted with the phobia may find this condition gradually taking control of their lives.
There are many options available for relieving brontophobia and other irrational fears. High-profile ones include counseling, anti-anxiety medication, and hypnosis. Hypnosis tends to provide safer, quicker results and it is non-invasive, having no side effects. For these reasons, hypnosis has become a popular choice of treatment.
Hypnosis therapy is highly effective as a class of stress-relief therapy and has traditionally been used for its healing properties. By beginning with relaxation techniques, hypnosis helps tense, worried phobia sufferers begin the process of overcoming their fears. When a person is feeling relaxed, it is easier for hypnosis techniques to guide the unconscious into a phobia-free thought process.
All phobias are linked to negative images or triggers, which become associated with fear deep within the unconscious mind. For brontophobia sufferers, the rumble of thunder, the sight of lightning, or even the sight of dark clouds often provokes a deep fear. Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) work at the unconscious level of the mind to dissociate fear from these triggers to bring significant phobia relief. One of the most effective techniques is named the NLP Visual/Kinesthetic Disassociation.
Ericksonian hypnosis is a type of hypnosis that is frequently used to treat phobias. Named after its creator, Dr. Milton Erickson, MD, this type of hypnotherapy uses indirect suggestions integrated in stories, metaphors, and conversation to eliminate a phobia. Indirect suggestions work better than conventional direct suggestions because people tend to reject commands. Suggestions which are hidden from the mind are better able to help people to overcome their phobias.
Ericksonian hypnosis and NLP techniques have an additional benefit over traditional hypnosis programs because they are generalized to treat any phobia. Thus, one program is effective for treating any phobia, or even several phobias if required. Additionally, each program uses a number of techniques to work for anybody.
For many people, hypnosis therapy is an ideal choice of treatment, which provides rapid and long-lasting results. Hiding in bed and feeling scared is not the way a brontophobia sufferer should live. Using hypnosis and NLP techniques, virtually everyone can overcome this irrational phobia.
Alan B. Densky, CH has been treating phobias using Hypnosis & NLP since 1978. He offers how to overcome fear hypnotherapy CDs plus a broad range of Hypnotherapy CDs for stress & depression related symptoms. Visit his website for free NLP downloads.
- Alan Densky
