Do you shudder at the sight of snow on the ground? Does the thought of setting foot outdoors in a winter storm make you break out in a cold sweat? If so, here are a few facts about the fear of snow.
This particular condition of unease around snow is called chionophobia. It is quite real and not as uncommon as you might think. It is hard for most people to believe that you could be afraid of snowflakes. After all, when you think about it, it is just water in another form. However, there are many people afflicted with this phobia. They do not need to be told twice to stay indoors when a snowstorm is coming.
The causes of this disorder often go back to incidents in childhood. However, this is not always the case. Most of them would be insignificant to people free of this fear. Maybe you were in a bad sledding accident as a kid. It’s possible that is an extension of being afraid of being trapped in freezing terrain and dying. If you were in a car accident from an icy road, especially involving a critical injury or death, you may end up with chionophobia.
The symptoms are closely related to panic attack. Sweating, trembling, panic, racing heart, and even difficulty breathing can occur. Some of the milder signs include shuddering and trying to hide from flakes. Different treatments are available to help you. You can seek professional therapy to get to the root of the problem. Some people help themselves by trying to realize that snow is natural and nothing to be afraid of. You may at least be able to see the beauty of it, even if you don’t want to go play in it.
The fear of snow may seem odd, but it is quite real for many people. Does this include you? If so, seek help today and start enjoying winter!