Homiclophobia (fear Of Fog): Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
Homyclophobia, or nebulaphobia, is the persistent and intense fear of fog This is a type of specific phobia that may be related to media coverage of dangerous situations, where fog occurs recurrently. Likewise, it can be caused by previous and unpleasant experiences related to this natural phenomenon.
Below we will see what homyclophobia is, what are some of its main characteristics as well as its possible causes and treatment.
Homyclophobia, also known as nebulaphobia, is the persistent and intense fear of fog. As it is a fear caused by exposure to a stimulus typical of nature, homyclophobia It can be considered a specific type of phobia of the natural environment
As with other phobias of a specific type, homiclophobia is characterized by a specific fear that is easily distinguishable from others. In this sense, unlike a social phobia, specific phobia does not usually extend to many stimuli beyond the main trigger, in this case fog.
However, B (2005) tells us that the development of a specific phobia to a certain stimulus increases the chances of developing another phobia to a very similar stimulus. In addition, increases the probability of having fears of varied stimuli although they are not necessarily phobic.
Finally, homyclophobia can be part of a broader clinical picture, for example, a social phobia or a generalized anxiety disorder. That is, it can manifest itself as one of the elements that surround a wide spectrum of stress experiences due to different stimuli, an issue that is important to take into account for its definition.
Before explaining some of its possible causes, we begin by briefly describing the natural phenomenon of fog.
What is fog?
Broadly speaking, fog is the result of snow that forms at low altitude, near ground level. Likewise, the fog can be generated as a result of vapor emanating from the ground due to an accumulation of water at a higher temperature than that of the surrounding air.
Thus, fog in itself is not a potentially harmful or risky element for any organism. However, depending on the circumstances it is experienced, fog can represent a stimulus that triggers alarm or even excessive fear.
Symptoms
As with all phobias, this fear is experienced persistently and irrationally meaning that it is not explained by the cultural codes of the environment in which one lives.
The exaggerated experience of fear translates into a momentary picture of anxiety, with its corresponding physiological response: dizziness, hyperventilation, cardiac agitation, excessive sweating, among others. In a case of more acute anxiety experience, homyclophobia can also trigger a panic attack.
Possible causes
As with other types of specific phobias, homiclophobia is a phenomenon with multiple causes. In the specific case of persistent fear of fog, one of the triggering elements may be prolonged exposure to media or movies where risk situations frequently occur in darkness, and also in fog. This can generate some imaginaries that ultimately favor the association between fog and imminent danger.
On the other hand, phobias can be provoked or intensified by real (not imagined), previous or present exposure, to dangerous situations where the stimulus is involved.
For example, fog is a natural phenomenon that occurs in many places of frequent traffic. On many of the roads that connect large cities fog is one of the most present elements.
Depending on the time of year, the altitude and the specific area where it occurs, the density of the fog may be higher or lower, and can significantly affect the driver’s vision For the same reason, and despite being harmless on its own, fog is one of the natural phenomena most related to traffic accidents. A previous experience of this type may be related to the development of this phobia.
Treatment
The general treatment of phobias can use different strategies. One of them is to encourage the creation of new associations about the stimulus that is perceived as harmful. Another is progressively approach it, through brief approaches that increase with the passage of time Likewise, it is possible to reinforce the emotional schemes for coping with situations that generate stress.
In the specific case of homyclophobia, it is important to define whether it comes from a real or imaginary experience of imminent danger related to fog. If it is an experience that has actually occurred, another strategy is to avoid exposing yourself to the fog alone, whether by car or on foot, as well as looking for some alternatives to said exposure.
On the contrary, if it is an imaginary danger, it is important to explore other elements that are related to situations where there is fog and find out if it is a more complex or extensive fear.
