Heliophobia is an irrational fear of sunlight, while photophobia is an increased sensitivity to light. Heliophobia can be treated with psychotherapy, while photophobia may require medical attention. The fear can be caused by various factors, and symptoms include sweating, headaches, and rapid heartbeat. Psychotherapy can help patients understand the origins of their fear and control anxiety. Supportive measures from friends and family can also be helpful.
Heliophobia is an irrational fear of sunlight, which should not be confused with photophobia, an increased sensitivity to light. Patients with heliophobia have an anxiety disorder that contributes to an intense fear or dislike of the sun, while photophobic patients have sensitive skin or eyes that make light difficult to tolerate. One condition may be treated with psychotherapy and other psychological means, while the other may require medical attention.
Like other phobias, heliophobia can have its origins in a number of different causes. Some patients may be afraid of light because they encounter information about skin cancer that worries or upsets them. Awareness information intended to educate people about the risks of prolonged sun exposure could be scary, or patients could know people who have developed skin cancer, which heightens the fear that it could happen to them. Patients with conditions such as OCD may begin to develop an intense fear of sun exposure due to persistent obsessive thoughts about skin cancer and other sun damage.
Patients with this phobia may experience symptoms such as sweating, headaches, and rapid heartbeat when they have to go out in the sun. This can also happen when they are placed in positions where they may need to go out in the sun; for example, the patient may worry about people ringing the doorbell during the day, as this may require the door to be opened and exposure to the sun. This may contribute to the development of anxiety triggers that cause the patient to experience anxiety symptoms even when the object of the phobia is not present.
Psychotherapy can help patients understand the origins of their heliophobia, which may also allow them to face their irrational fear. Someone worried because their mother died of skin cancer, for example, might learn more about skin cancer statistics and safe limits for sun exposure. Therapists may also work with patients on techniques for controlling anxiety, including breathing exercises, medications, and guided imagery. Some may offer systematic desensitization therapy to make the object of fear less frightening.
The irrationality of phobias can make them frustrating for friends and family. People with heliophobia may be teased or laughed at, which can make the phobia more intense. Those undergoing therapy may want to talk to friends and family about how they can help. Supportive measures could include allowing someone to bring an umbrella to the beach without comment, for example, or asking before opening curtains or blinds.
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