ANEMOPHOBIA - The Fear of Air - Anemophobia, sometimes called ancraophobia, is a sort of catch-all term that encompasses a wide variety of air-related phobias. Some people are afraid of drafts, others of gusty winds. Some fear swallowing air (called aerophagia). The phobia may be mild or severe and is often life-limiting. Anemophobia is often, though not always, related to other weather-based phobias. Lilapsophobia is the fear of severe storms, while astraphobia is the fear of more run of the mill weather events such as thunder and lightning. Many people with anemophobia based on another weather phobia may not be afraid of the wind itself but of the possibility that it signifies an upcoming storm. The fear of tornadoes is common among people who suffer from both anemophobia and another weather-related phobia. Some people with anemophobia may worry that a strong wind will blow away items of financial or sentimental value. Others are possibly concerned that a particularly gusty wind will tear apart their home. This type of anemophobia is often rooted in the fear of losing personal identity and may be more common in those who have survived a tornado, a hurricane, or some other severe weather disaster. Like the fear of losing personal identity, the fear of losing control may be at the heart of air-related phobias. Like all weather phenomena, wind is beyond our control.

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Anemophobia

The Fear of Air

By Lisa Fritscher 

Medically reviewed by 

Steven Gans, MD 

Anemophobia, sometimes called ancraophobia, is a sort of catch-all term that encompasses a wide variety of air-related phobias.

Some people are afraid of drafts, others of gusty winds. Some fear swallowing air (called aerophagia).

The phobia may be mild or severe and is often life-limiting.

The Link Between Anemophobia and Weather Phobias

Anemophobia is often, though not always, related to other weather-based phobias. 

Lilapsophobia is the fear of severe storms, while astraphobia is the fear of more run of the mill weather events such as thunder and lightning.

Many people with anemophobia based on another weather phobia may not be afraid of the wind itself but of the possibility that it signifies an upcoming storm.

The ​​fear of tornadoes is common among people who suffer from both anemophobia and another weather-related phobia.

Loss of Identity

Some people with anemophobia may worry that a strong wind will blow away items of financial or sentimental value.

Others are possibly concerned that a particularly gusty wind will tear apart their home.

This type of anemophobia is often rooted in the fear of losing personal identity and may be more common in those who have survived a tornado, a hurricane, or some other severe weather disaster.

Loss of Control

Like the fear of losing personal identity, the fear of losing control may be at the heart of air-related phobias.

Like all weather phenomena, wind is beyond our control.

Those who fear losing control of their lives and surroundings may be at an increased risk for air-related phobias.

Medical Phobias

Strong winds can cause loose items to blow around, tear off tree branches, and even cause structural damage.

Those with a fear of being injured may worry that they will be in the path of destruction.

Some people, especially children, may also be afraid that they will be picked up or knocked down by a particularly strong gust.

Medical phobias could also be at the heart of the fear of drafts.

Although we now know that illnesses are caused by bacteria or viruses, conventional wisdom has long held that drafty rooms can make people sick.

The fear may be heightened in those who suffer from cryophobia, or the fear of cold.

Similarly, those who are afraid of swallowing air may worry that excessive stomach gas is a sign of disease.

Anemophobia in Children

Like many phobias, anemophobia, particularly the fear of severe storms, is relatively common in young children.

Kids are not always able to make sense of the world around them, and infrequent events may be startling or intensely frightening.

Consequently, phobias are typically not diagnosed in children unless they persist for at least six months.

If your child has a mild fear of wind, try focusing on playtime activities that utilize the wind in positive ways.

Fly kites and experiment with real or toy sailboats.

Go outside and talk about how much fun it is to let the wind blow through your hair.

Of course, if your child's fear is especially severe or long-lasting, seek the guidance of a trained mental health professional.

In older kids and adults, the fear of wind is much less common. Consider seeking professional assistance with any fear that causes you to limit your daily activities.

Lisa Fritscher

Writer

Expertise

Phobias

Education

University of South Florida, Polk State College

Highlights

Experienced in community mental health

Case management and hands-on care at various mental health facilities

Experience

Lisa Fritscher is a former writer for Verywell Mind covering phobias. Lisa first became interested in mental health during her childhood, when she frequently accompanied her mother, a therapist, to work at the Winter Haven Hospital Community Mental Health Center. With years of familiarity in the field, it was only natural that Lisa would follow in her mother's footsteps. Her diverse experiences include both case management and hands-on patient care at a variety of residential and outpatient facilities.

Education

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Florida.

Verywell Mind Editorial Process

Verywell Mind is an award-winning, trusted, and compassionate online resource that provides the guidance you need to improve your mental health and find balance. We take a human approach to health and wellness content and reach more than 150 million readers annually.

Our editorial team includes writers, editors, and fact checkers who are all focused on making sure our information is clear, accurate, and actually useful so you can make confident choices about your mental health.

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Steven Gans, MD

Review Board Member

 Psychiatrist

Expertise

Psychiatry, Psychotherapy

Education

Harvard Medical School, Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, Rush University Medical College, Massachusetts General Hospital

Highlights

Assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School

Attending psychiatrist at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, where he leads a team-based approach to the management and recovery of patients with serious mental illnesses

Board-certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

I am thrilled to be involved with Verywell in their mission to bring accurate and accessible information regarding health issues to everyone. This is an especially crucial time that the information available to the public in understanding their health is factual, clear, and contextually useful.”

— STEVEN GANS, MD

Experience

Dr. Gans is passionately involved in the practice and teaching of psychotherapy. He is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor in the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Training Program and in their Program in Psychodynamics (PIP). A graduate of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, he is a supervisor and mentor in their Advanced Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training Program.

He serves as a psychotherapist attending to the Pavilion program at McLean Hospital. Dr. Gans was a psychiatric consultant for the Laurel Hill Inn eating disorders treatment program, and served as the Clinical Challenges editor for the Harvard Review of Psychiatry. He has previously been named to “Best Doctors” by Boston Magazine.

Education

Dr. Gans received a Bachelor in Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago. He earned his medical degree from Rush University Medical College. Dr. Gans did his residency in psychiatry at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He is a graduate of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute.

Verywell Mind Review Board

Verywell Mind is an award-winning, trusted, and compassionate online resource that provides the guidance you need to improve your mental health and find balance. We take a human approach to health and wellness content and reach more than 150 million readers annually.

The Verywell Mind Review Board is a team of board-certified physicians and established mental health experts who join us in our mission to be a compassionate resource that helps you prioritize your mental health and well-being.

Our experienced board of psychotherapists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, mindfulness coaches, and other mental health professionals and educators verify our content is high-quality, up-to-date, and inclusive to support you in feeling your best.

https://www.verywellmind.com/anemophobia-fear-of-air-2671730