Ballistophobia

Ballistophobia is an extreme fear of missiles and bullets.

Also commonly related to:-
Hematophobia –  an extreme irrational fear of blood

Acousticophobia – an intense aversion to, or fear of loud or unexpected noise.

Belonephobia – abnormal fear of sharp or pointed objects.

Ballistophobia comes from the Greek words “ballista” meaning “catapult,” and  “phobos” meaning “fear.”

Causes of Ballistophobia

As with most phobias and anxieties, there is no clear consensus about what causes Ballistophobia, however they are broadly spread across three areas.

Traumatic experiences

A common explanation is a childhood traumatic episode where a child may have been exposed to death of a loved one or even a beloved pet due to the use of a firearm. Additionally any other significant stresses that cause PTSD or panic attacks can lead to this as well via learned behaviour.

Learned behaviour

If a family member is already suffering from this anxiety, then chances are higher that you may develop this too.

Watching news of warfare and movies that show violent killing scenes with missiles and also news of genocides that have taken place, can be a trigger as well.

Genetics

Genetics also determines how a person reacts and feels, therefore you can inherit fears and phobias from your family.

Symptoms of Ballistophobia

The symptoms of Ballistophobia resemble those of a panic attack.

Physical symptoms can include:

• tightness in the chest/chest pain and difficulty breathing
• a sensation of butterflies in the stomach
• upset stomach, nausea
• a need to go to the toilet
• hot flushes or chills
• trembling
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• feeling of dread
• a choking sensation
• headaches and dizziness
• feeling faint
• hyperventilation

Psychological Symptoms can include:

• Dreading the thought of seeing a missile/firearm.
• Avoiding TV programs or news that shows missiles or incidents related to firearms.
• Avoiding video games that show the use of missiles and firearms.
• Feelings of extreme panic and  horror.
• Withdrawing from others.
• Feeling sad or hopeless.
• Feeling disconnected.
• Confusion, and/or difficulty concentrating
• Anger, irritability, mood swings
• Unable to cope with their anxiety, and/or panic attacks

Treatment of Ballistophobia

Talking Treatments

There are many different types of talking therapy, which include counselling, aim to:

• help you recognise unhelpful patterns in the way you think or act, and find ways to change them.
• help you resolve complicated feelings, or find ways to live with them.
• give you a safe time and place to talk to someone who won’t judge you

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT works by having the therapist help the patient to uncover why it is that they think, feel, and behave the way they do with regards to a particular fear or concern they have. CBT aims to identify if they are an accurate depiction of reality, and not then employ strategies to challenge and overcome them.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a very effective form of treatment for people struggling with emotion regulation. It is often used to treat people suffering from borderline personality disorder. It teaches you numerous coping skills in a DBT group. These groups typically last about 6 months long and can have anywhere from two people to several people depending on how many join the group.

Neuro Linguistic Program (NLP)

NLP has the client:

• Access the phobia in a safe environment.
• Help them to replay the phobia along with happy emotions.
• Disassociate from the phobia.

Systematic Desensitisation Exposure

The aim of Systematic Desensitisation is to remove the feared stimulus and substitute it with a relaxation response. In this therapy the client is exposed to the stimulus gradually with varying durations of time.

It is a type of behaviour therapy developed by Wolpe in the 1950’s.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

MBSR is an 8-week evidence-based program. It uses intensive mindfulness training to help people who are suffering from anxiety, stress and depression.

Medication

Medication should be never taken without asking a doctor first.

In general medication is not recommended for overcoming phobias.

Three general types of medication can be used for treating anxieties.

• Antidepressants Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Tranquillisers  Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam)

Bbeta-blockers Propranolol (Inderal), and Atenolol (Tenormin)

Sydney Phobia Therapy has an online therapy for Ballistophobia.

We currently use a 3rd generation version for fear of bullets and missiles phobia therapy based on the original Fast Phobia Cure initially created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970’s.

Now when I say fast, I mean typically one session only, no homework and its content free.

Content free means you don’t talk about, and you certainly don’t tell me, because I don’t want it either. You’re seeing me online, so stay in the comfort of your own space and no travel time, to have it removed, not to see if we can talk it to death.