Fear of Sunlight

1. Fear Of Sunlight
SADIA UNNISA
M.Pharmacy (Pharmacology)

2.  Introduction
 Symptoms
 Causes
 Effects
 Diagnosis
 Treatment
 Conclusion

3. The word heliophobia has its root in the Greek word
helios which means sun and phobia means fear.
Heliophobia is a type of specific phobia.
In psychology, Heliophobia simply refers the fear of
the sun, sunlight, or any bright light.

4. The symptoms of heliophobia are generally
automatic and uncontrollable depends on the
person.
Mild sufferers:
Feel uncomfortable
Shivering
Nausea
Numbness

5. Severe sufferers:
Panic attacks
Feelings of dizziness
Prickly sensations like pins and needles
Palpitations
Aches & Pains
Fatigue
Dry and Sticky mouth
Sweating Excessively
Breathlessness
Migraines and Headache
Physical discomfort

6. Physical Discomfort that is not actually caused by bodily injury,
but is a physical manifestation of the panic and fear that the
heliophobic person experiences when exposed to light.
For example, as a phantom sensation of their skin burning under direct sunlight, even when it is visually apparent that
their skin is not actually burning any more than healthy skin would as a result of sun exposure, but nonetheless still
feels like real pain for the sufferer.

7. There is no definitive cause of heliophobia.
It is type of specific phobia develops as results of:
Chemical photosensitivity (sun allergy).
Anxiety disorder
Autoimmune conditions
People with autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and scleroderma, may have photosensitivity
(heightened sensitivity to the sun).
Hereditary photodermatoses.
Some forms of photosensitivity have a heritable link, and are caused by a single gene defect. These
diseases are rare. They include:
Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), an autosomal recessive genetic condition that causes extreme sensitivity
to the DNA-damaging effects of sunlight. XP can damage unprotected skin, eyelids, and the tip of the
tongue, making it difficult to control

8. Other medical conditions include:
 Keratoconus
Porphyria cutanea tarda,
In some instances
A Traumatic Event may make heliophobia more likely to occur. For
example, a person who had a very severe sunburn in childhood may
become frightened of it happening again, even with limited sun
exposure.
Exposure to Media may also cause or exacerbate heliophobia.
Constantly reading or listening to news stories about the aging effects
of sunlight may cause fear of the sun in some people.

9. Vitamin D deficiency
Depression caused by a combination of vitamin D deficiency,
isolation and feelings of alienation from other people,
Continuously dark environment.
sufferers stay indoors
Sufferers may cover themselves with long, protective clothing
or carry a sun parasol when going outdoors during the daytime,
or simply never go outdoors at all when the sun is out,
depending on the severity of the fear
Heliophobia might turn nocturnal

10. Your doctor or therapist can make a diagnosis of
heliophobia by talking to you and asking questions
about your physical and mental symptoms. They will
also assess your overall anxiety level.
Your medical, social, and psychiatric history will be
taken into account. Your doctor may also want to know
if phobias or anxiety disorders run in your family.

11. Heliophobia can be treated using:
Talk therapy,
Exposure therapy,
Self-help techniques,
Support groups,
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Relaxation techniques
Medication

12. Talk therapy:
This is a form of psychotherapy and it is an important part of
treating bipolar disorder or depression. It can be used on
patients with Heliophobia as it allows the individual to cope
with their emotions. It enables problem-solving behavior and
changes negative behavior patterns that contribute to the
symptoms

13. Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy involves exposing the sufferer to their
fears in limited amounts over a periodic setting.
For example, the first stage of exposure therapy could be
exposing the sufferer to a small amount of daylight in a
safe setting, preferably the therapist’s office building.
Next, they will be asked to practice spending a few
seconds to minutes outside of their homes and so
on. Exposure therapy forces the person to see that there is
no real harm. With time and experience, they are able to
alleviate their fears.

14. Support groups
Being a part of a support group will help the sufferer to
meet other people suffering from other phobias. This will
make them feel less lonely but it will also make them
much stronger as they are aware of how others are
overcoming their phobias.

15. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) uses some elements of
exposure therapy, along with techniques designed to help
you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and
behaviors.
Your therapist will provide you with a framework for
several exercises that are designed to eradicate your
phobia and reduce anxiety.

16. MEDICATIONS:
Anti-anxiety Drugs:
These are useful to prevent the panic attacks
Anti-depressant Drug:
These medications help when person is suffering from
depression and also from anxiety disorders

17. Heliophobia is an anxiety disorder, marked by extreme fear
of sunlight.
Its definitive cause is unknown.
Heliophobia is highly treatable.
People with heliophobia can benefit from psychotherapeutic
practices such as CBT and exposure therapy.
Medications for anxiety may also help.

18. Source: Internet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliophobia
https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/heliophobia#medical-
conditions
https://www.ohmymag.co.uk/health/have-you-heard-of-heliophobia-the-
little-known-condition-that-strikes-in-summer_art1556.html
https://psychtimes.com/heliophobia-fear-of-the-sun/
https://typesofphobia.com/heliophobia-fear-of-sun/