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Other Phobias

The Fear of Comets – Cometophobia

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Decoding Cometophobia: The Fear of Comets

Do you get anxious just thinking about comets, let alone seeing one? Is your anxiety so severe it causes you to have a full-fledged panic attack?

For some, comets are an alluring sight indicative of prophecy or good news. Others see them as a sign of death or disaster and are terrified of them. If that’s the case with you, you probably suffer from a phobia of comets.

If you’re looking for the fear of comets phobia name, it’s called cometophobia. Let’s have a look at this unusual but intriguing phobia and learn ways to cope with it.

All about Cometophobia

Comets have aroused anxiety and terror in many different cultures and communities throughout history. They have been labeled as “The Harbinger of Doom” and “The Menace of the Universe.” They are considered as both catastrophic omens and heavenly messengers.

Cometophobia Meaning

Cometophobia is a morbid fear of comets. It’s a type of phobia that is associated with the phenomena itself or even celestial bodies. Those who suffer from this phobia of comets are terrified of them or events associated with them. Such a natural occurrence is usually linked to bad omens or false perceptions about outer space.

Cometophobia Causes

This fear can develop as a result of reading or watching science fiction novels or movies. Comets are frequently depicted as the precursor of death and devastation in these stories, and advancements in special effects can cause major anxiety in individuals suffering from cometophobia.

Cometophobia, or fear of comets, can also develop in someone who is highly spiritual and believes in a variety of prophecies relating to the end of the world. In certain religions, apocalypse is anticipated by comets falling, destroying the planet and its civilization.

Although comets are scientifically just a combination of rocks, ice, and stardust, some people think they are messages from the dead or indications that the world is about to end. Some believe these are intergalactic ships sent by aliens to attack Earth.

Symptoms of Cometophobia

Cometophobia causes a great deal of fear and anxiety in people who suffer from it. Symptoms can differ based on the severity of anxiety associated with the comets. Symptoms can show when the person looks at photos of comets. The sheer act of talking or even thinking about comets can trigger a panic attack.

Cometophobia does not need a sufferer to be in a scenario where they are exposed to comets. Our brain is capable of inducing symptoms of panic and fear even when we are not encountering our phobia trigger.

Anxiety, like with almost every other phobia, will be the most noticeable symptom for one suffering with cometophobia. This can get to the point where the person experiences an actual panic attack. They may have to be treated depending on the intensity of their panic attack. However, this differs from person to person and is determined by a variety of factors.

Mental/Emotional Symptoms

When exposed to its stimuli, such as comets, the following symptoms can be observed in those suffering from cometophobia:

  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Fear of dying or fainting
  • Anger and irritation
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Guilt and shame
  • Mood swings
  • Extreme fear

Physical Symptoms

Panic attacks are one of the most common symptoms of cometophobia. Most of the time, these symptoms occur unexpectedly and without any preceding indications or warnings. A panic attack can result in severe physical symptoms, including but not limited to those listed below:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Tremors
  • Shivering
  • Stomach cramps
  • Headaches
  • Dry mouth
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Choking sensation
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea & dizziness
  • Numbness
  • Hypertension
  • Hyperventilation
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness

There may be individuals who have several phobias that are interlinked. These are the more complex phobias. These symptoms can impact a person’s daily life and mental health. They can severely restrict someone’s life to the point they are unable to have a normal personal and professional life. Consequently, these can set off a chain reaction and are followed by depression.

How You Can Help Yourself

Phobias must be addressed carefully. If they’re not given adequate attention and care, they may begin to impact the sufferer’s life. In certain situations, severe anxiety can lead to depression.

Taking good care of yourself or being prepared for whatever may happen in the future is one of the easiest ways to conquer any phobia. Knowing how to protect yourself is essential not just for overcoming your fear of comets, but also for controlling other phobias and anxiety before they become more intense.

Professional Help for Cometophobia

Comets are a rare phenomenon. They are magnificent. That’s why when such a natural phenomenon occurs, their viewing is regarded as an outdoor activity and a once-in-a-lifetime event. Someone suffering from cometophobia not only risks missing out on this grand event but also misses out on having fun with their loved ones, who may have chosen to spend the evening observing the comet pass.

Like with most phobias, there is no definitive cometophobia treatment to cure it completely. Nonetheless, there are a variety of treatments available that can help with most of the symptoms of cometophobia. These are:

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is one of the most popular methods of therapy for those who have phobias. It works by progressively exposing the patient to their phobia under the guidance of a therapist. In the case of cometophobia, the therapist may begin by showing them images of comets and then progress to documentaries about comets.

All of this will be done to habituate the patient to their phobia by repeatedly exposing them to it. In theory, the more someone is subjected to something they fear, the less it will affect them in the long run.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is another common type of treatment that is frequently used to aid patients suffering from conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). CBT therapies are based on the idea that what we believe and perceive frequently influences our behavior.

For instance, when someone is suffering from cometophobia, they could use cognitive behavioral therapy to determine whether the anxiety caused by comets is an accurate representation of reality. And if not, they work on changing that.

CBT involves the patient understanding their perception, emotions, and reactions in response to their fears. Addressing these factors may enable someone suffering from cometophobia to adopt a more realistic approach to their fear of comets.

Medication

Medication should never be taken without first consulting a doctor. In general, medication is not advised for the treatment of phobias. Therapies are an effective means of overcoming phobias. Medications may be taken for anxiety and depression per the doctor’s recommendation.

How to Avoid Cometophobia Altogether

Someone suffering from cometophobia may go to great lengths to avoid encountering their fear in any way possible. This may imply not just avoiding locations where they may see the sight of comets, but also actively attempting to prevent it from occurring by adopting a more practical approach. These may include:

  • Avoiding astronomy news
  • Avoid looking at photos of comets
  • Avoid watching movies with occurrences
  • Staying at home when it occurs
  • Avoid reading about it
  • Seeking help to overcome the phobia

Wrapping It Up

Cometophobia is a rare phobia, and because the trigger is comets, which is rare in itself, individuals who suffer from it seldom experience symptoms.

Cometophobia generally does not need therapy unless the person is working on something associated with comets or in the field of astronomy, because the odds of encountering their phobia are extremely low. Many people believe they can live normally as long as they don’t see a comet. They believe they’re in control of their phobia. That may be the case, but remember to seek help when needed.

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Your Fear Goes Up and Down

Are you someone who would rather climb the stairs than take the elevator? You call it squeezing in a workout after being sedentary the whole morning. Or perhaps you claim it's a faster route. These are both typical, normal, and acceptable reasons. But what if you need to be in the conference room on the eleventh floor in five minutes, and you're wearing your business suit and wingtips? Would you still prefer to take the stairs? If your answer is yes, then maybe it's time to take a closer look at your reasons for avoiding elevators. Elevators stir all sorts of emotions in passengers. From the discomfort of closeness to strangers to the sensations in our gut, elevators can be a source of the heebie-jeebies for many, but for some, they can also be a source of terror. Let's dig a little deeper into the latter, and see what this terror is all about and what can be done to manage it. To begin with, does being inside an elevator give you chills or the sweats? Or does it trigger an unpleasant memory? Perhaps you remember movies you've watched where something terrible happens inside an elevator. From Silence of the Lambs, The Shining, Final Destination 2, or the king of all elevator horror films, 2010’s Devil, the elevator becomes witness to something sinister and horrible. And you want nothing to do with any of it. You know that you're not claustrophobic. You can deal with heights just fine, too. And you know that you're not going to be trapped inside. All of these contribute to a fear of elevators—but they don't apply to you. Yet being inside one does something to you. It's hard to explain.

What is the Fear of Elevators Called?

What you have is a fear of elevators, which is called elevatophobia. It is most commonly triggered by an experience of getting stuck inside either due to a power outage or technical maintenance. Hearing about other people's experiences or watching a movie about similar circumstances can prompt a fear of elevators getting stuck with you inside. Usually, claustrophobics and agoraphobics may also develop elevatophobia because the triggers and objects of these fears are related. Claustrophobia is the fear of closed and cramped spaces, while agoraphobia is the fear of being trapped without any means of escape. Put the two together, and the elevator becomes the perfect combination of both phobias. The space is limited and closed, with only one means of entry and exit. You can add another point of access if you consider climbing the cables like they do in the movies, but that certainly isn't ideal.

Symptoms of Elevatophobia

If for some reason an elevator stops due to an outage or some technical difficulty, passengers with elevatophobia may go into full panic mode. Even if the maintenance team advises that it will just be a matter of minutes, by then, the person's mind has become irrational with the fear of the elevator falling, being stuck for hours, or other unpleasant thoughts. You would expect a person to exhibit the following physical symptoms: Additionally, you would be filled with that overwhelming anxiety where you feel that you have zero control over the situation. You start fearing the unknown and are filled with negative thoughts about death and imminent doom. You become irrational and unresponsive.

Possible Complications of Elevatophobia

When the panic sets in, the possibility of emergencies related to pre-existing conditions may make themselves known. This might include serious health crises like heart attacks or asthma attacks. When this happens, fear becomes a medical emergency. Elevator rides do not last long; it's just a matter of minutes or even less. But the fact that a person can escalate from panic to a near fatal medical situation classifies the fear of elevators as a 'hard phobia.'

Trying Some Self-Help Methods

Your fear of elevators can likely interfere with your social and work life and relationships. Not everyone understands that elevatophobia, like most phobias, can be crippling. But don't be disheartened. Depending on the level of your fear and level of control, you can gradually face and manage your phobia. Here are some recommendations you can try:
  1. Make a List of Everything that Entails Riding in an Elevator This is a systematic approach to getting over your anxiety. By following a step-by-step process, you can identify where the fear kicks in at its strongest. You can write a list of steps like pressing the topmost button and waiting to arrive on that floor, watching as the door closes and opens, being alone inside the elevator, or having delays with the doors opening. Now try doing the opposite. For example, face away from the door or occupy yourself with your phone so that you are distracted.
  2. Create Your Fear Ladder Although the name says fear of elevators, it is not the whole process that scares you. There are just phases and parts of the elevator riding experience that cause you to panic. So go back to the list you initially created and label the fear level you feel. You can do it numerically, too, like ten being 'really scary,' six, 'manageable scary,' and one, 'not scary at all.' You can put the corresponding fear levels so you can focus more time and effort into activities that are more scary to you.
  3. Face Your Fear By now, you have identified what scares you the most. You can try repetitive action to minimize your fear and increase your sense of ‘normalcy’. Remember that the longer you expose yourself to your fear, the better you get at handling your emotions. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stop. Pushing yourself too fast and too soon can backfire. Modify your pace and go slower instead.
  4. Talk About Your Fear People by nature, unfortunately, are not quick to offer understanding and support. You need to tell them what's wrong before they can empathize. Talk to someone who you trust and ask for their support, especially in the initial phase of overcoming your fear. If you are too afraid to ride the elevator alone, you can ask them to go with you, and before you realize it, you are on your floor, and there was no indication of panic.
  5. Learn To Be Patient Be patient with yourself and your predicament. This is, after all, your fight against fear. It might take hundreds of elevator ride practices before the fear gets under control. Even then, there might be some hesitations and episodes of nervousness. These are acceptable and expected, so cut yourself some slack and congratulate yourself for every progress.

Seeking Professional Help

Along with self-help, you can always enlist a medical professional's aid to support you with your elevatophobia. Talking to someone who has experience with similar cases can be comforting, because you know that you are not alone, and this situation can get better. Talk to your doctor about the severity of your fears and the symptoms that you experience. Explain how you deal with it in an attempt to control it. An exam and a health history are made to ensure that there are no unrelated or underlying problems that your symptoms might mask. Usually, phobias like this are approached with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Your doctor will talk about these options with you, and it's entirely up to you, with your doctor's recommendation, what you want to pursue. For psychotherapy, the most common type is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to help you find different ways of behaving, thinking, and reacting when about to step inside an elevator or when already inside it. With medications, there are beta blockers and benzodiazepines, but note that these can have side effects. Whatever these side effects are, you should promptly share it with your doctor.

Simple Tips to Overcome Elevatophobia

Elevators are not perfect, but their likelihood to malfunction, fall, or get stuck is very low. If you are not fully confident with this information, you can help overcome your elevatophobia by learning common elevator safety tips and basic elevator operations. These should help curb your mild fear until you become more self-assured. In addition to that, here are some of the things that you can do to gradually overcome your fear of elevators—both in getting on and riding one.

Conclusion

Yes, elevatophobia can be a challenge in today's world, but don't allow the elevator to win. Don't let it stop you from taking a job on the top floor or attending a social gathering on the rooftop. Sure, you can take the stairs if you insist and arrive winded and sweaty, with the party about to wrap up. But is this the quality of life you seek? Elevators are designed to make life easier. There are guaranteed ways to help you overcome elevatophobia. Take the first step and seek help. Soon, you’ll see yourself breezing through the floors with those arduous stair climbs little more than a memory.
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