What if you don’t just despise the cold, what if you’re afraid of it? The phobia of cold weather is a real thing for people and holds various names such as chemophobia, frigophobia, or psychorophobia. In addition to your phobia of cold weather, you may have a fear of ice and frost, which goes by the name cryophobia.
The dread of winter is very understandable if you’ve driven on icy roads before. From the painful bite of the cold wind against your skin to tediously shoveling piles of snow from your driveway after a severe snowstorm, winter is certainly not for the weak.
Our General Understanding of What Phobias Are
Unlike Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you don’t become withdrawn and depressed from the lack of sunlight throughout the winter season. Instead, the phobia of cold weather creates overwhelming anxiety as the weather gets colder. But why are you afraid of the cold? Who knows, phobias aren’t exactly rational fears so it’s tough to say for sure.
According to mental health statistics, around ten percent of people will develop a phobia. Even worst? Phobias can happen at any age. However, there has been a small percentage of adults who overcome their phobias without treatment. So, if you have a phobia of cold weather, then have hope, you may be able to overcome your phobia through perseverance.
The Dangerous Effects of Cold Weather
In comparison to other types of anxiety, the phobia of cold weather shares the same symptoms. Even if you don’t go outside or are thinking about the upcoming winter, the phobia of cold weather can still cause you anxiety. Moreover, the dangers of cold weather can fuel your phobia of cold weather especially if you’re unprepared to deal with temperature changes.
From long exposures outside, you can develop hypothermia or frostbite. And even if you warm through extra layers of clothing and drink plenty of hot chocolate, you can still risk catching sicknesses like the flu and the common cold. Lastly, you may suffer from muscle aches arising from the winter cold as well.
How Therapy Can Help You with Your Struggles
Answer honestly, but how many times have you adjusted your schedule to avoid going outside? How many times have you moved or considered relocating to a warmer part of the country? How many opportunities did you lose out on staying inside when temperatures drop? To say that the phobia of cold weather can interfere with your life is an understatement.
So, if you’re searching for help to get over your phobia of cold weather then you should try cognitive behavioral therapy. While there, you’ll learn to cope with your fear and other stress-reducing methods through exposure therapy techniques.
How To Manage Your Phobia of Cold Weather
Likewise, keeping your eyes on the weather channel is a good idea. If you know how cold the weather will be, you can plan for it in advance. Likewise, stock up on emergency kits, extra blankets, and warm clothes to give you more security so you can relax.
In general, you want to know everything you can to stay safe in the winter season. Furthermore, you can reach out to a friend for help. Or, if you know someone else struggling with a phobia of cold weather, then you can give them the help they need as well. By exchanging necessities and information, you and anyone suffering from the phobia of cold weather won’t have to be afraid alone.
About the Author
David Gilbert 4th is a writer, blogger, poet, and published author. After receiving an Associate’s degree from Sinclair Community College and a bachelor’s degree in English at Wright State University, David published a poetry collection called Not All Scars are Wounded. In addition to his published poetry collection, David also has a blog titled blackboydreamer.wordpress.com where he explains what’s going on in various societal issues.
David’s focus is mostly on pop culture and social issues, wanting to delve into the real side of what’s happening in the world while offering a different perspective if needed. You can follow David on X and Instagram at @dgib4th123. Also, David’s poetry book Not All Scars Are Wounded is available on Amazon.
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