What causes fear of thunder?

Generally, fear of thunder may be caused by innate instinctive responses, past negative experiences, specific phobias, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Innate instinctive response: Thunder is a sudden, intense stimulus. Humans have an inherent defensive reaction to such unknown and powerful stimuli, manifesting as tension and fear. Gradual exposure to recorded thunder sounds, starting at low volume, can help individuals adapt and gradually reduce sensitivity.

2. Past negative experiences: If someone has experienced accidents during thunderstorms—such as electric shock or property damage—the sound of thunder may become associated with these traumatic memories, triggering fear. Recalling event details and rationally processing them, along with emotional support from family and friends, can help alleviate this associative fear.

3. Specific phobia: An excessive and irrational fear of thunder that leads to symptoms such as palpitations and sweating, significantly affecting daily life. Patients may take medications such as lorazepam tablets, alprazolam tablets, or clonazepam tablets as prescribed by a physician, combined with exposure therapy.

4. Anxiety disorder: Individuals with anxious tendencies may develop catastrophic thoughts related to thunderstorms, amplifying their sense of fear. They may also experience restlessness, insomnia, and other symptoms. Such patients should take medications like sertraline hydrochloride tablets, paroxetine tablets, or fluvoxamine maleate tablets as directed by a doctor, along with cognitive behavioral therapy.

5. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): After experiencing severe trauma, thunderstorms may act as triggers, causing intense fear and flashbacks. Patients may be prescribed medications such as venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release tablets, duloxetine enteric-coated tablets, or mirtazapine tablets, supplemented with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

During thunderstorms, staying in a closed, quiet room and diverting attention through activities like listening to music or reading books can be helpful. Learning scientific knowledge about thunderstorms and understanding their formation mechanisms can also reduce fear through rational cognition.