What Is Nucleomituphobia? (A Comprehensive Guide)

In this blog we will deliberate the causes, symptoms and treatments of Nucleomituphobia.

Nucleomituphobia is an extreme fear of nuclear weapons.

A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions. These are highly dangerous weapons and used in warfares.

People who suffer from Nucleomituphobia will jump or get a start at the mere sound of a boom even in the TV or video games assuming that it is a nuclear explosion.

Universally Nuclear weapons are considered dangerous and are used either for protection of countries, killing or making war.

The basic concept of missiles is considered to be tyranny.

Nucleomituphobia is an irrational fear of nuclear weapons.

Even if the person is not even exposed to the stimulus even then he will suffer a full-blown panic attack at the mere thought of nuclear technology.

They are victims of their fears and thoughts.

They blame the nuclear detonation of the past for the bad that is happening in the world, responsible for the violence.

They are also fearful of people who play a role in developing nuclear technology.

Symptoms of Nucleomituphobia

The symptoms of Nucleomituphobia resemble those of a panic attack.

Dreading the thought of seeing a nuclear weapon.
Avoiding TV programs or news that shows nuclear weapons and detonation.
Avoiding video games that show the use of nuclear weapons.
Feelings of extreme panic and horror.
Flight from the scene

Physical Symptoms

These are intense and can begin without any prior warning.

The person suffering from Nucleomituphobia experiences the full physical intensity of either all of these or some of these in combination with others.

hot flashes or chills
headaches
sweating
trembling
shortness of breath a choking sensation
rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
nausea
dizziness
feeling faint
numbness
dry mouth
ringing in ears
confusion
hyperventilation
raised blood pressure

The Psychological Symptoms

During panic attack the person suffering from Nucleomituphobia may experience the following

fear of fainting
feelings of dread
fear of dying
shame
fear of losing control
fear of harm
fear of illness
self-blame
withdrawn
feeling Of hopelessness
feeling of disconnect
confusion
lack of concentration
anger
irritability
mood swings

Causes of Nucleomituphobia

As with most phobias and anxieties, there is no clear consensus about what causes Nucleomituphobia.

The most common explanation is the dropping of two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively, by the United States with the consent of the United Kingdom.

The mass destruction caused by this detonationand the horror that followed over the years was insurmountable and can lead to the development of Nucleomituphobia.

The detonation wiped out 90 percent of the cities and immediately killed 120,000 people; tens of thousands more later died of radiation exposure.

What is Nucleomituphobia? (A Comprehensive Guide)

People may also be afraid of losing control because this is something that is not in their hands and not controlled by them, no matter how powerful a person is.

Thus, the symptoms of panic can leave the person not in control of the situation. This inability to manipulate the situation according to one’s own whims might also push them to Nucleomituphobia.

Scientists believe that a combination of genetic tendencies, brain chemistry, and other biological and environmental factors could cause such fears to develop.

As is common in specific phobias, the cause. Genetics also plays a pivotal role in the cause of developing Nucleomituphobia.

Other causes can be as follow:

• Learned behavior

• Traumatic experiences

Etiological Models of Nucleomituphobia

Biological (Genetic) Model

Genetics also determines how a person reacts and feels. Therefore, people inherit fears and phobias as well from their families.

The brain cells (neurons) release certain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Serotonin and Dopamine are two neurotransmitters that in depleted states can cause anxiety like symptoms.

A childhood traumatic experience could be where children saw a movie where people died in nuclear detonation/attacks.

This may leave a long lasting impression. Reading books that have a detailed account of nuclear power and its misuse, can add to the fears.

2. Behavioral Model

According to this model, irrational fears may be caused through behaviors that are learned by replication. Children often replicate unique behaviors of their adults, parents or a favorite aunt or uncle.

If a family member is already suffering from anxiety or is scared of one or another thing, then chances are higher that only by observing this, the child may develop fears

Treatments of Nucleomituphobia

Nucleomituphobia can be treated through different treatments.

These include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Neuro Linguistic Program (NLP), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction MBSR) and forms of meditation.

1) Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

In CBT the therapist helps the client to amend his thoughts so that a desirable behavior can be achieved.

This therapy is effective, because if the thoughts or cognitions alter then there will be a lasting impact on behavior.

The therapist helps the client to discover the reason for this thought, his behavior in regards to death and dying. This therapy is goal oriented and short termed.

Therefore, the results are seen soon. It changes the way a person thinks and feels.

CBT does not focus on probing the past to resolve current problems, rather it concentrates on the present situation.

Our thoughts determine how we act or react to certain stimuli and situations.

Therefore, negative thoughts bring about a negative behavior response or an undesirable behavior.

Whereas, positive thoughts propagate desirable and healthy attitude and response.

For the treatment of Nucleomituphobia, the therapist separates the problem into parts.

These may include: thoughts, feelings and actions.

What thought is invoked at the thought of nuclear weapons?
How do you feel when you see nuclear weapons?
What do you do when you face the feared stimulus?
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a form of CBT and designed by Albert Ellis. According to Ellis, “people are not disturbed by things but rather by their view of things.” This is what subjective perspective is.

In Nucleomituphobia, the person thinks of dying when he sees the firearms and gets anxious because there is a fear of leaving loved ones behind and experiencing the unknown.

2) Neuro Linguistic Program (NLP)

In this therapy the client is asked to

Access the phobia in a safe environment.
Help them to replay the phobia along with happy emotions.
Disassociate from the phobia.

3) Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

MBSR involves being aware of one’s own thoughts, feelings and reducing the interference from around the environment.

We do not pay attention to how we process the various stimuli that affect us. We do not process the way our bodies feel and respond, there is no focus on our thoughts and how these thoughts are influencing our emotions.

In MBSR, the client is ‘woken up’ to actually experience the various senses. ‘Focus’ is the keyword!

In Nucleomituphobia treatment, the client is made conscious to pay attention to his thoughts when he is thinking of what he is afraid of.

Awareness helps to alleviate the stress symptoms.

4) Meditation

For meditation to be effective during treatment, the mind is cleared off all the clutter of random thoughts.

The mind and body are made to be ‘in sync’ with each other, so that the feared stimulus does not invoke a negative thought.

The client will meditate during the thoughts of death and concentrate on his breathing patterns in the presence of the feared stimulus.

5) Self-Help Groups

Self Help groups are an effective type of therapy, in which the client does not find himself as a lone sufferer.

These groups are individuals who are afflicted with the same types of phobias.

They come together to share their thoughts, experiences and their coping strategies. This also helps in developing a ‘sense of I am not the only one’ suffering.

6) Changing Lifestyle

Breaking down the dullness of the daily, helps break down anxiety as well.

• Take up jogging or go for daily walks:

Developing a walk routine can damper the way our negative thoughts control our behavior.

• Indulging in an exercise regime:

Vigorous exercise like aerobics has proved to reduce or alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Exercise helps the mind to cope with stress and stressful situations better.

This is what the American Psychological Association has to say about inducting exercise to eliminate stress or phobias.

• Altering eating and drinking habits:

Cutting down on fatty foods and caffeine can improve self-image, that in turn leads to a raised self-esteem.

This finally diminishes the symptoms of stress to a bare minimum.

With high intake of caffeine, the body resembles a ‘fight or flight’ response, thus giving way to anxiety.

• Improving the sleep cycle:

When we get proper rest, our concentration improves. When the mind is properly rested we think rationally.

7. Psychiatric Medication

There are a number of medicines that the Psychiatrist can prescribe if the symptoms of Nucleomituphobia are severe.

Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs)

These should only be taken after the consultation with the doctor and shouldn’t be initiated or discontinued as per personal discretion.

Antidepressants

These medicines are not only used to treat depression, but also to alleviate the symptoms of Nucleomituphobia as well as other phobias.

Medicines alone might not be as effective, but if used in conjunction with therapies then the results will be better.

7) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

This kind of therapy is used to regulate the emotions.

A technique called “half-smiling” is used where the client is asked to lift the corners of his mouth when the feared thought comes to his mind.

Apart from this the mind is to be trained to refrain from thinking about the painful stimulus.

Coping Ahead is another technique in DBT that requires the client to sit quietly and think of the feared situation and strategize what he will do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What phobia is the fear of nuclear technology?

Nucleomituphobia is the irrational fear of nuclear weapons.

The person suffering from this undergoes a panic attack.

What is Hopophilia?

Hopophilia is a love of firearms and the opposite of Hoplophobia.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is an activity of the mind to be fully present, it is the ability of the mind.

Who invented the first nuclear weapon?

The first atomic incendiary device was discovered by nuclear physicists in a laboratory in Berlin, Germany, in 1938, after Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner and Fritz Strassman discovered nuclear fission.