Heliophobia - Fear of the sun

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Heliophobia is the fear of sun or sunlight. Some people may have developed this phobia because they are scared that if they are in the sun too long it might gie them cancer. The origin of the word helio is Greek meaning sun and phobia is Greek meaning fear heliophobia is considered to be a specific phobia, Heliophobia also known as phengophobia, is an abnormal and persistent fear of the sun often caused by a negative past experience. sufferers from heliophobia experience undue anxiety about the sun this phobia can become quite irrational if left untreated.
For most people with this phobia, even the thought of going out in the sun is enough to bring on anxiety and panic. Not only are people with heliophobia afraid of the sun, but they may be scared of bright light as well. While no one can pinpoint the exact cause of this phobia, it is believed that as with all phobias,

What Causes Heliophobia ?

As with all phobias, the person impacted by heliophobia has suffered a trauma at some time in their life. That traumatic experience is then automaticaly and consistently associated with the sun. perhaps the heliophobic person intensely fears skin cancer and feels that even the slightest exposure to the sun is extreely dangerous. This person may actually have an underlying, undiagnosed medical condition that causes hypersensitivity to the sun maybe the person suffering with heliophobia has experinced severe sunburn in the past. perhaps the person watched the negative and fearful reactions of others when confronted with exposure to the sun.

Symptoms :-

The symptoms of heliophobia are individual and will vary among people. Some people, when confronted with their fear of the sun, may begin to perspire, feel experience crippling anxiety panic attacks. the symptoms are A dry mouth, heart palpitations, numbness, heightened senses, breathlessness, feeling dizzy, muscle tension, hyperventilation, trembling, rapid heartbeat, feeling out of control,feeling trapped and unable to escape, intense feeing of impending disaster.

Treatment :-

There are a variety of ways to treat heliophobia. Treatment options will have to be discussed with a physician and will have much to do with the scope and severity of the phobia.

Traditional talk therapy: - This is by far one of the best methods of treatment for someone suffering from a phobia. Often times, just knowing that someone understands and doesn't think they are crazy will put them that much further down the road to recovery. Once that kind of trust is established, the patient can then begin to explore what kind of trauma might be causing the fear of the sun, and at some point it can be faced.

Medication:-

Anti-anxiety medication and benzodiazepines are often prescribed in conjunction with psychotherapies to help the patient an age their fears. Many times, it is very difficult to get through therapy without the aid of some type of medication.

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