A Phobia presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos

Phobia of the Day: Chionophobia

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an irrational response.

A Phobia presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving excessive and persistent fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an immediate anxiety response.

Most specific phobias fall into one of four major categories:

  • Fears of the natural environment
  • Fears related to animals
  • Fear related to medical treatments or issues
  • Fears related to specific situations

Phobia of the Day: Chionophobia refers to the fear of snow

Fear of snow – Chionophobia is the extreme aversion or fear of snow. The word comes from the Greek chiton, which means snow, and Phobos which means fear, hatred, or dread. People with Chionophobia often understand that their anxiety is unfounded and rare. However, they are unable to control it. Living with the phobia can be very difficult, especially in winter or in places where snow is the way of life. Cationophobia can cause extreme symptoms such as:

  • Crying, screaming, the feeling of running away or hiding, tremors, heart palpitations, depression, stomach upset, vomiting, nausea, etc.
  • People with this phobia who are forced to go out into the snow may feel detached from reality or unable to express themselves clearly.

SELF-CARE TIPS FOR PHOBIAS THAT BRING ON ANXIETY

  • Talk to someone you trust. 
  • Learn to manage panic and anxiety. 
  • Look into joining a support group. 
  • Use self-help resources. 
  • Take a course for your specific phobia.

RECENT PHOBIA WORD POSTS:

 Agraphobia

 Atomosophobia

 Apiphobia

Arsonphobia

Allodoxaphobia

Do you have a phobia you suffer from that you’d like to share?

If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 and we’ll publish the ones that we feel are most interesting!

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