Fear of Moonlight: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Fear of the moonlight – Selenophobia; If you or someone you know has an intense fear of moonlight, this short guide will help you understand it. Selenophobia is an irrational fear of the moon or its light. Selenophobia is derived from the Greek Selene, moon, and Phobos, which means anxiety or aversion. For the sick, even talking or thinking about the moon can trigger intense fear or anxiety and lead to an all-out panic attack. Let’s study this phobia in detail.

Causes of xenophobia

  • As with most phobias, intense fear of the moon or moonlight can stem from superstitions about the moon.
  • The full moon is often linked to werewolves; Folk tales and pop culture abound with stories about mythical creatures turning into vicious, bloodthirsty animals on full moon nights.
  • Since time immemorial, the moon has been associated with human behavior.
  • The moon affects the tides on earth and is linked to the element of water.
  • Since the human body comprises nearly 70% water elements, it should come as no surprise that the moon can impact the human mind, body, and spirit.
  • Studies show that crime rates tend to increase during the full moon.
  • In women, the menstrual cycle, and subsequently premenstrual behavior, is often believed to be linked to the moon. With it come mood swings and feelings of depression or negativity in some women.
  • Selenophobia can also have its roots in childhood. A traumatic event during the full moon could lead to a lifelong fear of this celestial object.
  • In some people, the fear goes away over time, while in others, it keeps increasing.

The moon is also linked to spiritual and mystical elements.

  • People with a sensitive mental disposition or nature can easily be influenced by stories or anxious human beings around them.
  • Learning emotions occurs at an early age to protect us.
  • Conditioning done by an adult, a movie, a book, or just an event can cause this phobia to protect the mind from further trauma.
  • However, this emotional learning becomes inappropriate and bypasses the rational or thinking brain, causing panic attacks and total phobia.

You can also read Fear Of Ideas: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments.

Symptoms of fear in the moonlight

Symptoms of fear in the moonlight

  • Refusing to attend an event or go out on the full moon day
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Racing heart, palpitations, and chest pain
  • Feeling dizzy, unsteady
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Hot flashes or flushes
  • Tremors, shaking
  • Sweaty palms
  • Disturbance in eating or sleeping
  • Persistent and unreasonable fear of the moon or moonlight
  • Close the windows, using the curtains to prevent the moonlight from entering

What can you do if you are afraid of the moon?

  • Treating xenophobia is relatively easy; one only has to change his experience at an unconscious level.
  • You need to treat the moon like you would treat any other object.
  • The best way to do this is to achieve a relaxed state of mind while imagining the object of fear, in this case, the moon or moonlight.
  • Meditation, positive visualization, and deep breathing exercises are known to help.

Daily physical exercise is essential as it helps release feel-good hormones.

  • This is especially helpful for people who have a phobia due to a chemical imbalance.
  • A healthy and supportive diet can also help.
  • A process called deconditioning is also beneficial. It helps to change the association that the mind may have formed with the moon or moonlight.
  • Hypnosis or hypnotherapy has helped thousands of people overcome various phobias.
  • An experienced therapist puts the phobia in a relaxed state and dives deep into your mind to determine the root cause of the phobia.
  • Keeping a journal of thoughts and feelings can also help.
  • One can also join a support group online or in-person nearby.
  • You understood that others like you could significantly ease your mind and help you rationalize your thoughts.
  • Reading all about various phobias can help, too.
  • A combination of deconditioning, cognitive behavioral therapy, continued relaxation, and gradual exposure to the object of fear can also help in some cases.

Georgia Tarrant
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Hello, how are you? My name is Georgia Tarrant, and I am a clinical psychologist. In everyday life, professional obligations seem to predominate over our personal life. It's as if work takes up more and more of the time we'd love to devote to our love life, our family, or even a moment of leisure.