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Brontophobia is a widespread fear that thousands of people around the globe struggle with; the fear of lightning and thunder. For as long as this fear has been around, we have been looking for ways to beat it. Now there is a variety of treatment choices in use. To help overcome this phobia, experts recommend certain hypnotherapy techniques that are proven successful in dissipating fears and anxiety.

Brontophobia sufferers have an overblown fear of thunder and lightning. Loud, booming thunder and intense flashes of lightning can spark nervousness and panic attacks in brontophobia sufferers. Other effects include a rapid heartbeat, perspiring, and an intense sense of fear, to the point where a person becomes sick.

The fear of lightning and thunder starts early for many, when as kids, we cower under the covers during a big storm. The phobia can be particularly overwhelming for children. Many scared children feel helpless during a thunderstorm, and their parents may also feel powerless to take away their fears.

Despite its common occurrence in children, the fear of storms can be triggered at any time, often after a person has an unpleasant experience such as getting shocked, which reminds them of a lightning strike. A stressful event such as living through a tropical storm may also create an intense fear of thunderstorms.

A person may come to link loud noises, the sensation of pain, or terror with storms, which may lead to a phobia. This phobia is so common that it is even observed in many animals; for example, many people notice that their pets seem upset during bad weather.

Brontophobia sufferers try to avoid hearing or seeing storms. They may experience anxiety during storm disasters such as tornadoes. This can threaten them if they are unable to function in a situation which calls for them to remain calm and act decisively.

Brontophobia sufferers may despise storm season, often struggling during times of the year when thunderstorms occur frequently. They might continually check weather reports and act extra cautious during bouts of bad weather. To other people, these actions may seem obsessive and paranoid. Phobia suffers may find this fear gradually taking control of their lives.

There are many options available for treating brontophobia and other irrational fears. High-profile ones include talk therapy, anti-anxiety medication, and hypnotherapy. Hypnosis tends to provide safer, faster results and it is non-invasive, having no harmful side effects. For these reasons and others, hypnotherapy is a widely used treatment.

Hypnotherapy is excellent as a type of relaxation therapy and has traditionally been used for its soothing properties. By beginning with stress-relief techniques, hypnotherapy helps tense, troubled individuals with phobias begin the process of overcoming their fears. When a person is feeling tranquil, it is easier for hypnotherapy techniques to direct the unconscious into a phobia-free train of thought.

Nearly all phobias are linked to negative imagery or stimuli, which become associated with fear deep within the unconscious mind. For brontophobia sufferers, the sound of thunder, the sight of lightning, or even the smell of rain often triggers a deep fear. Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) work at the unconscious level of the mind to dissociate fear from these triggers to bring powerful fear relief. One of the most effective techniques is called the NLP Visual/Kinesthetic Disassociation.

Ericksonian hypnotherapy is a form of hypnotherapy that is frequently used to treat fear-related stress. Named for pioneering developer, Dr. Milton Erickson, MD, this form of hypnotherapy uses indirect suggestions embedded in metaphors, stories, and conversation to eliminate a phobia. Indirect suggestions are more effective than traditional post-hypnotic direct suggestions because we tend to reject being told what to do. Suggestions which indirectly communicate to conscious thought are much better able to empower people to overcome their phobias.

NLP techniques and Ericksonian hypnotherapy have another advantage over conventional hypnotherapy programs because they are generalized to work for any phobia. So a single program is suitable for curing any phobia, or even several phobias if necessary. Plus, each program combines many different techniques to be effective for everybody.

For many, hypnotherapy is an ideal choice of treatment, which delivers rapid and long-lasting results. Cowering in bed and feeling frightened is not how a brontophobia sufferer should live. With hypnotherapy and NLP techniques, nearly everyone can overcome this serious phobia.