Thunderstorms can cause an extreme reaction in those with astraphobia, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, numbness, heart palpitations, and breathing difficulties. The term is derived from the Greek word “astrape” which means lightning, and “phobos” which means fear! This is a common phobia that can affect individuals of all ages, though it is not officially recognized as a specific psychiatric diagnosis. While many children will eventually outgrow it, some (like Hendrik) continue to experi