heliophobia

=**Heliophobia- fear of sun.**=


 * Heliophobia** is an overwhelming, irrational fear of the sun or being exposed to the sun. The heliophobic person could also be scared of any bright lights. People coping with this phobia usually cover themselves completely before to going outside or in extreme cases people will avoid going outside at all.

Causes:
As with all phobias, the person impacted by Heliophobia has suffered a trauma at some time in their life. That traumatic experience was always associated with the sun. It may be that the heliophobic person intensely fears skin cancer and feels that even the slightest exposure to the sun is extremely dangerous. This person may actually have an underlying, undiagnosed medical condition that causes hypersensitivity to the sun. Maybe the person suffering with Heliophobia has experienced severe sunburn in the past. Perhaps the person watched the negative and fearful reactions of others when confronted with exposure to the sun. In this example, the heliophobic individual would have learned to imitate the reactions of others.

**Symptoms**
include panicking, shortness of breath, intense sweating, loss of control, and intense anxiety

**Treatment**
There are a number of ways to treat Heliophobia. These can include: "AHHHH THE SUN" - Willem DaFoe as //Dracula!
 * A referral from the primary physician to a therapist who specializes in the treatment of phobias.
 * Traditional “talk” therapy that will teach the person to recognize and control their phobia.
 * Hypnotherapy.
 * Exposure Therapy.
 * Self-help techniques such as purposeful muscle relaxation.
 * Support groups with other people who are coping with this specific phobia.
 * Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Desensitization Therapy.
 * Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and visualization.
 * In severe cases of Heliophobia, anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed.

page by: Mikhail Yusufov and Bridget Grogan//