Have You Heard Of Heliophobia, The Little-Known Condition That Strikes In Summer?

Chilling out, sunbathing, vitamin D. All good things we get from the sun. However, for some people, it can be the worst thing for their anxiety if they suffer from heliophobia, defined as a fear of the sun. According to psychiatrist Samuel Dock when interviewed by the French newspaper LCI, it is a condition that should be taken seriously.

‘We really shouldn’t underestimate this fear of the sun, it is often related to the person’s psychosis.’ These are psychopathic personalities that most schizophrenic people suffer from. Being confronted with light and heat sends them into a state of bodily intrusion.

‘The exhaustion that they feel makes them insomniacs which only increases their psychiatric problems,’ explains the psychiatrist.

Discussion forums about this topic are full of people sharing their experiences with the sun. One woman talks about how hard it was for her to be out in the sun because she is ashamed of her freckles that come out when the sun hits her skin. Another man says he literally becomes depressed when summer comes.

‘The sun shining makes me crazy, why are people happy to see the sun? I feel empty, I spend my days in front of video games.’ According to psychiatrist Samuel Dock, only psychotherapy could change this.