Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes (lilapsophobia)

En español: lee sobre este miedo en Fobias.org.

A fear of tornadoes and hurricanes can show up when you check the weather, hear strong wind or watch storm coverage on the news. It can happen even where such storms are rare. It can be helped.

Understanding this fear

Lilapsophobia is an intense fear of tornadoes and hurricanes that is out of step with the actual risk where you live. Feeling uneasy when a big storm is forecast is normal and can help you stay safe. With this phobia, though, the fear runs in the background most of the time, and a gust of wind or a weather alert can bring on panic. It is sometimes described as a stronger form of the fear of thunder and lightning.

It can follow a frightening storm, or hearing that a loved one was hurt in one, but it can also grow from news coverage and films of storms far away. It is less common in children than adults, though children can pick it up from storm broadcasts or from a worried parent. People with this fear often have related worries too, such as a fear of thunder, of being alone during a storm or of accidents.

Common triggers

• Weather warnings and storm alerts on your phone
• Strong wind rattling windows or doors
• Dark, heavy clouds building up
• News footage of hurricanes and tornadoes abroad
• Disaster films and storm chasing videos
• Named storms on the forecast
• Thunder and lightning
• Planning travel to storm prone countries

Where it shows up

• At home during windy nights
• Caravans, tents and holiday lodges
• Large glass buildings and conservatories
• Holidays in the Caribbean or the United States
• Beaches and open countryside
• Watching the weather on TV or apps

Symptoms

In your body

• Pounding heart and fast breathing
• Shaking and sweating
• Muscle tension and restlessness
• Headaches
• Nausea or an upset stomach
• Pacing or being unable to sit still

In your mind

• The roof is going to come off
• Feeling there is nowhere safe to go
• Constant what if thoughts about the next storm
• Fear of being alone when it hits
• Feeling detached or not quite real

What you might do

• Checking forecasts and radar many times a day
• Refusing to go out when wind is forecast
• Stockpiling supplies far beyond what is needed
• Avoiding holidays to certain countries
• Taking shelter as soon as the weather turns

What causes it

For some people the fear starts with a real event, such as a storm that damaged their home or hurt someone they knew, and in those cases it can be part of a trauma reaction that is worth having properly assessed. For others it grows from vivid footage of storms on the news and in films, which makes distant danger feel close. A family member who is very frightened of storms can also pass the fear on. Weather apps and constant alerts mean many people now check far more often than before, and each check keeps the threat in mind. Avoiding going out or seeking constant updates brings short term relief, which teaches the mind that the danger is always near.

How it can affect your life

Lilapsophobia can mean cancelling plans whenever wind is forecast, staying awake through stormy nights or avoiding holidays to sunny places with storm seasons. Constant checking of weather apps can eat into the day and make it hard to relax. Family members may find it hard to understand, and children can pick up the worry too.

Things that can help day to day

• Pick one trusted forecast, such as the Met Office, and check it at set times only
• Follow official weather warnings, then put the phone away once you have done what is advised
• Learn how often serious storms actually happen where you live
• Use slow breathing and a calming activity during windy nights
• Limit storm footage, disaster films and late night news

When to get help

It is worth getting help if the fear is affecting your sleep, stopping you going out or travelling, or taking up a lot of your day. If the fear began after a frightening storm and you have flashbacks or nightmares, it is worth speaking to your GP, who can help you get the right kind of support. Your GP is also a good first port of call if anxiety is affecting your daily life.

How I can help

Common questions

Can you develop a fear of tornadoes without ever seeing one?

Yes. News coverage, films and hearing about storms affecting others can be enough. The mind reacts strongly to vivid images, even of danger far away.

Why does strong wind make me panic?

If your mind links wind with disaster, the sound of gusts can set off the alarm before you have time to think. Your body reacts as if the worst is about to happen, even when the weather is ordinary.

How can I help my child who is scared of storms?

Stay as calm as you can, explain simply how rare serious storms are where you live, and keep storm news and films away from them. Having a calm plan for windy nights can help them feel safer.

Can I have this fear if I live somewhere safe?

Yes. Vivid news footage and films can make the danger feel close, even when you live far from any storm risk. The fear is about how the mind responds to the images, and that can be changed.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Further reading: Cleveland Clinic: Lilapsophobia · Wikipedia: Lilapsophobia · NHS: Phobias

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