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Hello, dear readers of the site! Astrophobia is a pathological fear of the stars, the starry sky and everything connected with it. Let’s take a look at the symptoms, causes, and treatments for this phobia.
What is it?
The night sky, crowned with moon and stars, fascinates, relaxes and evokes romantic associations. But, as it turned out, not everyone.
There are people who are terribly afraid to even look at him. Therefore, they try to get home before dark, otherwise they simply will not withstand the panic attack that will overtake them.
They close the windows tightly because they are worried that the moonlight will get into their room and something irreparable will happen.
But astrophobes are afraid not only of the starry sky, but of the cosmos as a whole, the likelihood of being abducted by alien creatures. Which, quite possibly, are peeping at them through the gap formed by the curtains.
In severe cases, they move to a room with no windows so that no one can recognize their exact location. And if there is someone to take care of them, then they may not leave there for weeks. Or they “sit like mice” at night, afraid to close their eyes.
If it so happened that they lingered on the street and it began to get dark, they put on sunglasses and very quickly try to run to their shelter. Never raised your head up.
They panic when watching a movie if there are fragments of stars, aliens and, in general, space. They react in the same way to photos with the above elements.
By the way, astrophobia can also cause fear of the dark, other types of phobias. And also a feeling of total loneliness, isolation.
Agree, it is difficult to communicate with a person who now and then «delirious» with ideas about the capture of humanity by an extraterrestrial civilization. Either he is worried about the fall of a meteorite or an asteroid to Earth, which will subsequently completely destroy the planet, and so on.
Evidence
This phobia manifests itself, like the rest. A person may have increased pressure along with a heartbeat, as well as pain in the chest area. Which will scare you even more because of the likelihood of getting a heart attack.
There is also a tremor of the hands, the legs do not obey and become like cotton wool. If an astrophobe is at home, and panic overtakes him in the usual conditions, then he will still be able to cope with it on his own.
But if this happened in an unfamiliar place, or just on the street, he becomes disoriented, gets lost. And the stronger the emotions, the less he will control his actions.
And this threatens with the possibility of injury by falling under a car, falling down a ladder, and so on.
Often there are symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness. Insomnia appears and, as a result, nervous exhaustion, irritability and depression.
Causes
Genetic factor
A person may well inherit from his close relatives a tendency to phobic disorders. Or just adopt by observing the reaction of parents to certain stimuli.
That is, if dad tensed up at the sight of even toy aliens, the child on a subconscious level will also begin to fear them. Children read emotional reactions in a moment and, naturally, rely on them in the future.
Moreover, the fear of the sky is a completely rational experience of the ancient ancestors. With the onset of darkness and the appearance of the moon, predatory animals went in search of food. And people were anxious, expecting an attack at any second.
Psychological trauma
As a child, an unsuccessful trip to the planetarium could provoke the development of astrophobia. Especially if the child was very small and was simply frightened by the abruptly turned off light and the unexpected voice of the presenter. Especially if he did not receive support from significant adults at such a moment.
Various horror stories or watching a horror movie about space, the capture of the Earth by alien creatures, and so on. Especially at night and without the presence of parents.
Or maybe everything is quite simple — the baby got lost in the evening, when the stars were already shining. Which «anchored» the feeling of fear in his subconscious. That is, every time he sees them now, he unconsciously experiences horror.
Such a reflex to a stimulus. This is from Neuro Linguistic Programming, you can learn more about it by clicking here.
In adulthood, there is also a high probability of getting psychological trauma. No, not going to the planetarium. And, for example, having survived the attack of a maniac, a robber in the dark and fixing in memory “pieces” of the starry sky.
By the way, raising children in too harsh conditions affects their mental health and perception of the surrounding reality.
For example, as a punishment to lock a child in a dark room — to provoke in him a persistent feeling of fear of an enclosed space, darkness and other things for the rest of his life.
If stars and planets were pasted on the ceiling as decoration in this room, then this is the explanation of where astrophobia came from.
character property
Easily suggestible and impressionable individuals, having seen enough films or read books about alien invasion and all sorts of space disasters, are terribly afraid to even look at the stars.
Stories that after death the human soul connects with the cosmos, or dissolves in it, and so on, can also have an impact on them. Why does he become tritely creepy at the thought of the vastness of the universe.
Profession costs
These are very rare cases, but they should also be taken into account. Parents, children, wives and other close people of astronauts, taikonauts, are so worried about them that they begin to perceive space as a danger that threatens their happiness and family life.
Even less often — if during the flight the astronauts themselves had some unforeseen circumstances. That in the future they just had to leave the profession.
Because they were worried about PTSD, causing panic attacks and flashbacks, that is, a mental return to those unsafe conditions, which feels very realistic.
Treatment
Fear of the stars is not a disease that requires mandatory hospitalization or observation by a psychiatrist. But medical accompaniment does not hurt to relax and calm the nervous system.
This will help to improve sleep, bring bright colors back to life. And, most importantly, the opportunity to be under the open sky at night.
Psychotherapy is recommended to investigate the causes of astrophobia and to find optimal behavior patterns at the time of the onset of panic.
Hypnosis is often used, in this case it is the most effective means. It is only important to meet a truly experienced and professional specialist so as not to risk your health.
You will learn more information about the methods of treatment directly from the article dedicated to this topic. By the way, it also shows how to deal with panic attacks.
Completion
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For example, what is the name of the fear of going crazy, or what is it — anthophobia. Learn to distinguish between abusers and those who really love you and do not want harm.
And that’s all for today! Take care of yourself and, of course, be happy!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina