The astrophobia that appears in “Light Year” exists: here’s what we know about it

Light year leaves us many manners in the purest style pixar. One is that we can all fight our fearspresented through character Izzy Hawthorne, a young woman who is equally excited and terrified of space. He wants to follow in the footsteps of his grandmother, one of the astronauts who served with Buzz, but at the same time he suffers from a great astrophobia, which prevents him from making a decision about the start of the space race. But how much fiction is behind this? Does astrophobia really exist?

The truth is that there are as many phobias as there are irritants that can trigger them. Therefore, it is not strange that there are also in space. astrophobia, which not to be confused with astraphobia (fear of lightning), consists of a persistent, intense and irrational fear of stars and other space objects.

The people who suffer from this suffer from the simple fact go out at night and look at the sky. And they can’t stand such a seemingly simple thing as visit a planetarium or watch films about space. This stimulus is relatively easy to avoid, which is why many people don’t see that their lives have changed so much that they have to seek help. It’s unusual for them to want to be an astronaut, like Izzy in Lightyear, so they feel they can control it. However, this can seriously affect normal development of their lifeso they should ask for help. Once they have done this, the therapy will be similar to that used in other phobias.

What is astrophobia?

Astrophobia is what is known in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM V) how specific phobia.

That is, people who suffer from it experience fear or severe anxiety in front of specific object or situation. In particular, it is referred to as environmental phobias. These include, for example, fear of heights, water or lightning.

But in general, all phobias have a few things in common, which are defined in DSM V. Let’s start with the fact that the object that causes the phobia, usually causes immediate fear or anxiety. it disproportionate fear compared to the real danger of the situation that gives rise to it, so the person who feels it is usually inclined avoid it persistently. It is also important to note that this is not punctuality. In other words, to be considered a phobia, it must persist for at least six months. In addition, it is fear or anxiety that cannot be explained by another disease. And finally, all phobias are united by what they can cause. violations in social, professional or other important areas the patient’s life.

In the case of Izzy’s astrophobia, all this is understandable. But he is still a cartoon character, so you might think that in real life this does not happen, except Light year. However, it is a known phobia for psychologists. This is rare and its causes are unknown, although it is common with other phobias. Some of them may have been called a dangerous or stressful situation associated with a stimulus. However, others appear for no apparent reason. The good news is that they are all treatable.

How could Izzy be treated in Light Year?

strength of will It’s very good and it’s very important when it comes to overcome phobias. However, as animated films teach us, willpower is much better complemented by willpower. professional help.

People suffering from astrophobia, as well as any other phobia, should contact psychologist, which will study the case to find out what is the best course of action. Typically gives the best results cognitive behavioral therapy. In this line, something known as systematic desensitization, which consists in exposing a person to a series of stressful stimuli related to the cause of his phobia. In the case of astrophobia, these are usually images of stars, as well as other space objects.

The presentation can be triggered, virtual or live, and should always be in the company of a psychologist who will know how to manage the situation and act at all times. Later, in state of relaxation deepthe patient is asked to imagine these scenes again. Thus, it turns out that little by little the origin of the phobia is connected with the state of relaxation, and not with the usual anxious reaction.

In this way, it can be ensured that the phobia does not affect the normal development of the patient’s life. Or, who knows, maybe you could even get someone with astrophobia to become an astronaut, like Izzy in Light year. It might be a little weirder outside of fiction, but never say never. And the fact is, if there is anything better than the teachings of Pixar films, it is undoubtedly psychology. As long as you use evidence-based tools, you can take us where we never thought we would be.