Help for fireworks fear or phobia – what is out there? Are there solutions which last longer than just the one night?
Remember Remember Fireworks November
In the UK, it’s almost that time of year where the sky fills with the light and noise of fireworks. For some this is a happy time of excitement and fun, warming themselves by the fire, eating toffee apples and watching the light spectacle. Young children tend to do all sorts of art activities in school around the theme. For others it is a time of dread because of the unbearably loud noises and sudden flashes of light triggering the fireworks fear or phobia. Not forgetting all the animals who suffer, domestic or wild. I wish I could help them all.
Fireworks phobia
There is no actual term for a phobia of fireworks, no one word to describe it. It is either phonophobia or photophobia or a combination of them both. Phonophobia (also known as ligyrophobia or sonophobia) being fear of sound and photophobia being fear of very bright light. The definition of a phobia is “an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something” however a fireworks fear or phobia is different as it is a blend of the defense reflexes we are born with. It is more common in children than adults as children are more sensitive to noises and are still making sense of the world around them, seeking safety. Sudden loud noises can be seen to be a threat to this. It may come from a past trauma or it may stem from an unknown root. I have two children, both brought up very similarly, and one loves fireworks and everything associated with ‘Bonfire Night’ and the other hates them and therefore would rather stay indoors. In the past we have compromised and bought quiet fireworks, which I like as I know they don’t frighten animals so much.
Help for fireworks fear or phobia
So, what can be done? You can either stay indoors, shut the curtains and put some music or the television on loud. Similarly you could take yourself to the theatre or a concert where you would hopefully have a few hours of blissful escapism. You could go on holiday avoiding the whole thing – a lovely but not necessarily practical remedy. Earplugs could be another solution. What actual help for fireworks fear or phobia is out there so that the issue can be resolved? Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT®) is a logical, practical, efficient, non hypnosis method which can help resolve your fears and phobias. You, the client are in charge of what you want to change – we take the negative emotional response which is causing you difficulty and replace it with how you would rather feel. Some issues can even be resolved in just one session. To find out more about BWRT® and to see if it can help you, read more about it at https://www.bwrt-dorset.co.uk/services/ and at https://www.bwrt.org/pages/about-us and book a free initial consultation with me https://www.bwrt-dorset.co.uk/contact/
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