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.
Chollene says
Hi, I’m 23 years old and I hate the sound of the rain falling on a roof, and also thunders. I feel like I’m not safe every time I hear it. I would cover my ears or wear earphones to listen to a song till I fall asleep. I even sometimes panic if my remedies don’t work. Ever since I was a child I had a fear with storm like rains because every time a rainstorm came, I would assume that the electricity went out and my former crazy nanny would do something like dripping melted candle on my hands. I think my fear of the sound of rain and thunder is connected to my childhood trauma.
Grace says
When I was just a kid, most of the children in our neighborhood used to go out and play when it was raining, and I was one of them. So basically, I used to love the rainy season. But as I got older (I’m 18 years old now, BTW), I became unusually afraid of the rain and I started to hate the sound of rain falling on the roof, that’s why I just put my earphones on and then listen to the music playing loudly in my ears, just for me to not hear the sound of the rain. Whenever it’s raining, I usually panic, and I don’t know why. There are times when I become irritable when it’s raining. But I just feel like this whenever I’m alone on rainy days or nights. If I have company or are with my friends, since we usually talk to each other, my fear subsides. I just don’t understand why I started feeling like this because as far as I remember, I don’t have bad or sad experiences in my life that were somehow related to rain, like for example natural calamities.
Genny says
Hello, I am 28 and ever since I was a baby I have been afraid of rain. My mother says that if she took me outside and rain touched me I would start screaming like I was possessed. When I was young I was always worried about floods and I would not go outside if it was raining. I still worry about flooding so that when I bought a house I turned a few down because of the slope of the yard wouldn’t prevent flooding. As an adult now as long as I’m inside I am not afraid of storms. I actually enjoy listening to the sound of a thunderstorm but even still as an adult if I go outside in the rain I cant let it touch me. If I’m under an umbrella or a porch or something I’m fine but if the rain touches me I have a panic attack. I don’t know if this is quite the same thing as a fear of rain but I am not afraid of water as I love to swim and be in and around water. But any sort of water that falls through the air and touches me gives me panic attacks. When I was a child I would not play with squirt guns or run in the sprinklers and I simply did not take showers. I always had baths. The first time I went to summer camp I had a screaming fit when the camp counselor made me take a shower. As I grew up I learned a way of taking a shower without getting my face wet and as long as the shower water doesn’t touch my face then I am okay. It was even so bad that when I was a kid and my mother would take me to the hair salon, when the stylist would go to wash my hair in the sink my mother had to hold a washcloth over my face or I would scream. I still have to do this as an adult. If I go to a salon I have to hold a washcloth over my face when they wash my hair. My husband thinks that I should just get over it and go out in the rain but I have tried and while I don’t scream and run away anymore, my heart starts racing and I get tetchy and irritable. Once a few months ago I was out in the driveway under the truck working on the exhaust and it started to rain. I knew I could not stop until it was finished and I figured since I was under the truck I would be safe from my fear, but water kept dripping through the engine bay and landing on my face and I was laying in rain water. I tried to grit my teeth and keep going but I had a full blown panic attach and started crying right there in the driveway under my truck. I don’t know how to overcome this fear and it’s kind of embarrassing when I go out with my friends and wont walk outside in the rain and have to explain to friends and coworkers that I as an adult am afraid of getting wet in the rain. Please if anyone else has experienced this please let me know and give me ideas of how to cope. Even just knowing that I’m not alone and a total weirdo would be helpful.
Audrey Johnson says
Hello Genny, I do not have the same aversion to all types of falling water that you do, but I too cannot take showers or wash my hair and get my face wet without panicking. I take the same type of modified shower that I am sure you do and use the washcloth trick at the salon as well! I always took baths as a kid and still do today if I can at all help it, to the extent that even though I currently live in a boat (which I love) I bought a foldaway bathtub. I wasn’t always afraid of the rain but last year my beloved, elderly dog drowned. Since then I can’t bring myself to go outside in it, concentrate, or drive in it if I can help it. Since I live in Seattle this is a real problem.
Maaz says
Hi everyone, I am 29 years old. I want to overcome this fear, that’s why I have started to go into the rain when it’s raining in daytime and I am not at work. Although, heavy rain gives me panic attack almost every time.
Reading comments gave me a little relief knowing that I am not the only one. I wish I could talk to each and everyone in the comment section and get to know them. I don’t know how people would take this as I am from a third world country.
Let’s just hope we overcome this fear soon.
God bless you all.
Levia says
I never noticed this until I was 15. Whenever I hear rain, I always hide into the corner of my room. And I get scared so much I would listen to some music and turn up the volume so I couldn’t hear it.
There was not a single bad incident that has happened so far in my entire life that would make me fear rain. So, I really don’t understand why I’m suddenly so scared of it.
nichole says
I am 25 years old. Back when I was younger I was never afraid of storms our anything like that, but when I got older a weak tornado passed through my neighborhood, which also happens to be a large trailer park. Even though the tornado was weak it did quite a bit of damage causing trees to fall and trailers losing their underpinnings. A tree unfortunately also landed in our neighbors trailer, demolishing it. Ever since then I have been terrified of rain and storms fearing that if a stronger tornado was to form then our trailer would be destroyed with my family and I in it or that even a strong storm could knock down a tree and it lands on our house. It doesn’t help that just this year a category 3 tornado struck down just down the street, missing us by only a few miles, hitting another trailer park and killing 7 people. My fear has gotten so bad that I can’t so much as handle even light rain, and if it rains while I’m at work I have a full blown panic attack. I can’t even sleep at night if it’s raining, which it has been doing a lot this year. This fear is ruining my life.
Dianne Robios says
Hi! I’m Dianne 28 yrs old from the Philippines. I had this kind of phobia since I was I think 5 yrs old. It’s totally bad because I am always looking at the sky to check if it will rain or if the clouds are too dark, I get nervous and when it rains I always find myself in bed and put myself in blanket and pillows so I can’t hear any raindrops on our roof. I can truly relate to this blog that describes the symptoms of this Ombrophobia where I discovered that there is a phobia related to the rain. Actually, I am so glad that despite that I am so scared at the moment because of this damn rain, I felt so relieved cause I am not the only one feeling this phobia. I thought this wasn’t normal and I wasn’t normal. This is the first time ever in my life I thank this kind of heavy rain cause I came to this blog. Reading everyone’s comment here makes me feel so relieved that I’m not alone feeling this way. I hope soon I can overcome this phobia. Stay safe everyone.
Dianne from the Philippines
kyle says
I recommend noise cancelling headphones and keeping the blinds shut with the lights on.
William says
I try this every time and it works.
Ananda Lee Mortimer says
My husband and I and my dog were caught in our room when a tornado ripped through our house two years ago. I have developed Anxiety because of it, my dog was also becoming ridden with Anxiety. I am being medicated, but I am petrified of storms, rain and clouds. I am forever looking at the weather forecast, forever looking at the sky, if I see stars I am happy, if I see clear blue sky I am happy, but as soon as it is going to rain I start panicking. Right now my heart is racing as they forecast rain this afternoon in Benoni South Africa and currently there is a Hurricane in the states. I have moved house to get out of our house that was ridden over by a tornado. I just want to be normal, help.
Hayley says
I know how that feels. I’ve been terrified when it rains. We are moving to Texas. I like it here because we don’t get tornadoes or hurricanes but now I am scared to death because I don’t know if we will have them there.
Fabian says
I’m really scared of rain but in the day I’m fine unless it’s really bad but in the night it’s on a whole other level, please leave some tips to help asap.
Ananda Lee Mortimer says
I understand your feelings and you are not alone.
Asna Ulfah says
Hi i am 16 years old but i’m still afraid of heavy rain where there’s thunder and wind. I hate it so much. I always felt shaking and wanted to cry. I’m not scared if it’s only rain but it will become a problem to me when heavy rain occurs. What should i do?
Rosie says
Hi, I have 5 daughters. My baby turned 5 this year in April and on that night we had one of the worst storms which caused a power outage which didn’t resume till the afternoon on the next day. Ever since that day, she has not wanted to go anywhere if it rains or when the sky changes from blue to grey. She refuses to go to school as we have had a lot more rainy days. I have read all the info on here which was given to me by a good friend and my baby ticks all the symptoms of what to look out for. She can be playing or doing something and then when she sees that the sky has changed colour, she would look outside straight away or she cries and runs to whoever is close by. She would ask if there is going to be a storm. During recent school holidays, she refused to go anywhere as the days weren’t a blue. THis has really broken me as I feel useless as a mother and not knowing what to do and I have never had this kind of issue with my other 4 daughters. Please HELP as I don’t want her to miss out on school and outings and having fun just because of this.
Aribella says
Hi I’m 11 years old and I have the same fear, I just think to myself every day will be a mental assault if I keep this up.
Pramot Wagley says
Yea bro I’m 10 so yea. I’m scared of rain like heavy rain, light rain and showers. Also I’m scared of high winds. Today the max wind was around 30 or 40 in Syracuse Liverpool Ny.
Tehzeeb says
Hi, i am 13 and i now suddenly fear the thunder and lightning also the winds i dont know why I suddenly started to fear them. Whenever i see lightning or hear the sound of thunder i am about to cry, my heart beats really fast and i dont know what i am doing i am just so unstable.
Maricella Castillo says
Don’t feel bad or that you are alone. I can relate to you. A lot of people think I’m crazy but I’m not, it’s something we can’t control. I go crazy and I hide under the blankets and cry and at times I can’t breathe.
angela says
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?
ashish raut says
Listen to songs in headphones.
Maleah B. says
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!
McKenna says
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?
Tiffany says
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.
Carolyn Smith says
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.
abhraleen chakraborty says
i have such a phobia
Jen says
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 😭
Andy says
I am 12 and i am afraid of wind and rain. How do i get rid of this phobia asap.
Diego says
Try looking at the rain and listen to music. Once you get comfortable enough try touching it.
Nomie says
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?
Azhell says
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 😭
Kayla says
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.
Kyla says
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.
Audrey says
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!
John says
Hello there, sorry for asking, are you still scared of rain now? Because everything about it is making me sick and I am 20. I am so ashamed of myself.
Leah says
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
Jacob says
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.