Ombrophobia or Pluviophobia is the fear of rain- a fairly common anxiety disorder seen in kids and adults alike. The term Ombrophobia originates from Greek ‘Ombros’ meaning “storm of rain” and phobos meaning “fear or aversion”. The term Ombrophobia has even been used to describe certain species of plants called Ombrophobes and ombrophiles which have their root systems developed in a way that enables them to take up water directly from the atmospheric precipitation.
Typically, younger children are known to suffer more from Ombrophobia than adults. Some might fear very heavy rain that accompanies storm-like conditions (heavy winds, thunder and lightning), still others might be afraid of even a little light rain or drizzle.
Thus; the fear of rain might be accompanied by several different phobias like the fear of lightning and thunder (Astraphobia), fear of fog (Homichlophobia) or the fear of flooding (Antlophobia) and fear of drowning (Aquaphobia).
Causes of Ombrophobia
Rain is essential for growth of crops, replenishing our fresh water sources and in general, sustaining life on earth. In moderate quantities, rain is good and sometimes even evokes feelings of romance. Many love songs have been inspired by this natural element.
However, with the arrival of rain, storm-like conditions also occur. It typically gets dark as thundering clouds gather overhead, blocking the sunlight. Rain is often accompanied by lightning, thunder and flooding. Heavy rains are known to cause harm to life and property through landslides, building collapses, major power failures etc. All these negative experiences can cause one to fear rain, particularly after having directly experienced them firsthand. In the Amazon region, it rains nearly 80 inches on an average. This leads to thick forest growth that is home to reptiles and other dangerous predators. Many people living in such areas could be afraid of rain owing to these factors.
The expression, “it is raining cats and dogs” has often been used to describe very heavy rains. In reality, many cases of actual frogs and toads, (even fish) raining down on people have occurred in some areas. Early nineteenth century has seen “Frog and toad” storms in areas like Sheffield, England and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Such “amphibian rains” occur when weather conditions and heavy winds literally lift the frogs up to dump them in other areas. Movies, TV shows showing this scientific phenomenon can aggravate the fear in anxious minded people.
Rains often lead to viral diseases or the spread of bacteria. Nosophobic individuals (people who fear diseases or germs) could be afraid of rains because of this reason.
Extreme cases of acid rain have led to severe burns, causing the victims to have intense and lifelong fear of rain.
Thus, there are different causes of Ombrophobia and they vary from individual to individual.
Symptoms of Ombrophobia / Pluviophobia
Like in any other phobia, Ombrophobia also produces a variety of symptoms that may vary from person to person. Children suffering from this phobia typically show following symptoms:
- Screaming, crying continually
- Shaking uncontrollably and begging to be taken home
- Asking questions like “will we get flooded out”?
- Looking at the sky constantly to monitor rains
- Refusing to go outdoors when it rains
Adults with this phobia might
- Have an elevated heartbeat
- Display heightened anxiety or have a full blown panic attack
- Continually monitor the weather forecasts to see if rain is predicted
- Tremble, shake, or feel like running away or hiding etc. Some other symptoms of fear of rain phobia include thoughts about death, being incoherent, or being unable to express oneself, feeling numb etc.
Naturally, these symptoms can affect the day-to-day lives of the sufferers especially in places where it rains frequently. The phobics also tend to become socially withdrawn or depressed.
Fortunately, there are ways of overcoming this phobia.
Treating and overcoming the fear of rain
Children with this phobia generally tend to outgrow it once they are more mature. However, parents should encourage them to talk about their fears as this can help one get over the anxiety. Talking to the school nurse or teacher can also help parents cope with this problem, especially when the child is showing extreme anxiety or having a crying fit each time it rains or floods.
Pluviophobes or adults with rain phobia could undergo exposure therapy that involves exposing oneself to mild rain in order to relearn ways of overcoming their anxiety response. Gradually, through controlled deep breathing, one can overcome the Ombrophobia once and for all. Other therapies like counseling, Hypnotherapy and CBT/cognitive behavior therapies can also help one overcome the fear of rain.
i have a child who has phobia of rains. not only that, i think he also has fear of thunders and drowning. it is so hard to console him when he is throwing fit when it rains. i keep talking to him when it rains to keep him calm down but it seems it does not help. any advice?
Listen to songs in headphones.
Yesterday I went on a walk at 4:00 and ended up getting lost because I am new to the area and I was walking around for almost 8 hours trying to find my house. It was raining and lightning and I used to love the rain and now I never want to see, hear, touch or have anything to do with rain. The cops were at my house and some trying to find me until I showed back up at my house when I found it and my back and butt was damp so they think I got into a car or went to someones house. Now they think im lying so I have a police record and im only fourteen!
I’m 19, and as I write this, there is a rain/hail storm happening right outside my window. I am shaking uncontrollably, breathing quickly, crying, and very scared. I only feel this way about rain at night however. If this was daytime, I would be fine with it. So I was wondering if that still is the pluviophobia? Does nighttime have a roll?
Hi McKenna,
I am a producer for a show that airs on the weather channel and am looking for someone to speak with us about what it’s like to have a phobia of the wind or rain. If anyone would be up for this, please contact me at tiffany.rosengrant.contractor @ weathergroup.com. We are not going to embarrass you in any way, we are doing a show about weather related phobias and need someone who can tell us first hand how it affects you, what you’re feeling when confronted with your phobia, and how it subsides afterwards. Thank you for your time and consideration.
My fear is the association of heavy fog, howling wind, darkness, lightening and the connectivity that is associated with down pours or heavy rain and rolling water. My fear is even greater whenever I cross the Mississippi River. I start hyperventilating. There is a mystery that is involved as though I have been in a similar situation where something is taking my breath away. I have never been involved in a tornado or hurricane, but when I lived in Kentucky as a child I used to hide in closets until the storm passed. As an adult, when I travel, crossing any bridge where there is water underneath I become very fearful of falling in, and once again, I start hyperventilating.
I continue to tell people how mysterious the Pacific Ocean and the Mississippi River are.
Exactly what I feel right now. It’s midnight as the heavy rain pours down and I’m extremely terrified, unsettled and my heart beats so fast.. Can’t freaking sleep ugh ! I hate evening/midnight rain 😭 I’m okay with rains during day as well but nights are just extremely my worst fear 😭
I am 12 and i am afraid of wind and rain. How do i get rid of this phobia asap.
Hi, I’m Nomie. Idk if I have an ombrophobia, but I am really getting paranoid, consecutively looking up in the sky, saying or feeling that a rain just drop even if my friends said there’s none. Or wondering if it will rain everytime I look up. And when it rains, I tend to sleep all day. But I’m not panicking I just don’t like getting rained on. Do you think I have this phobia?
Hi I am Azhell and I’m 15.. my fear of rain just started about a year ago. I am so scared of rain but I’m not scared of thunder, storms or flooding. I’m ok with it but everytime it’s raining, my body start to shake and I want to cry. My body temperature goes horribly down too so everytime it’s raining I’ll sleep. I have never told this to anyone but tbh the reason why I’m scared of rain is because I start to hear weird things like whispering, yelling and crying and it’s just gotten louder and louder. What should I do? Can you guys help me because I want to get rid of my fear asap 😭
Hi I’m Kayla, I have this problem but instead of flooding I think about tornadoes. I’m glad I’m not the only one.
Hi I’m Kyla and I’m 15. Before, whenever it rains, I’m always the person who thinks that it will flood us away. I thought it’s just an ordinary situation I had. Today, I got irritated because of certain things so I decided to visit rainmood. I never really visited that site before, my friend just recommended it to me, to keep calm. But it turns out that I got really scared. I thought the feeling I have would be fine, that’s why I put on my earphones and pushed the volume to the highest. Suddenly, when the site loaded, I started freaking and having fast heartbeats that I think is being exaggerated, that’s the reason why I tried researching it.
Hello, my name is audrey and I’m 17. I have a horrible fear of rain.. It’s so bad where I won’t even leave my bed. I can’t function or do anything I am seeing a new therapist but it isn’t helping much. Do you have any other suggestions for me on how to at least cope with rain and try and fiction cause it is ruining some day plans or important things I have going on. Thank you!
Hello, my brother is 12 and autistic and he has a severe fear of the rain and anything that seems like it is going to rain, he is unable to talk over his fears. Do you have any suggestions? If you don’t then thanks for your consideration..
From,
Leah Angel Harrison
Hi Leah
I suggest you contact the people from Autism Speaks. They are actively supporting research on anxiety disorders associated with autism and I am sure they will help you out to the best of their abilities.