Fear of the sky

[Carnation]

For me it seems to be a variant of agoraphobia.

I think you might be right

[LittleLionMan]

I've had a bit of this too (particularly the night sky), and it's good to see that I'm not alone. For me it seems to be a variant of agoraphobia.

Hi Graham, I’ve only just seen this, sorry.
I broke my own rules and had a bit of a google the other day, and I think you’re right. There’s definitely a link with derealisation too though, like the tired derealised mind just can’t quite comprehend things the same and is easy overwhelmed.
Either way it’s a bloody nightmare, and I’m over 6 months in and still don’t know what to do about it.

[Catholic deacon]

This is very interesting. I still suffer from fear of looking at the sky slightly since I developed existential terror. I became aware of mortality and existance and the "size" and scale of everything. It was horrible at the time.
What helped most was to become aware of the fact it wasn't the sky I was afraid of, it was the fear of my mind not being able to cope with the idea of the sky, that scared me. Does that make sense? Most fears relate to your mental handling of the problem, not the problem itself, which is why they grow. You need to teach yourself you won't go mad or blow up if you look at the sky through gradual exposure. It's hard as it's there all the time to remind you, but it can be done. Good luck!

Hello dear friend, first of all I pray that you are doing well.

Secondly I have the same thing and it happened in 2018 when I had a combination of trauma’s (someone randomly treat me with a gun, and fear of flying). 15/12/2018 was the treat, 26/12/2018 was flight to turkey after 8-9 years of avoiding flying bcs of fear. Now I had severe panic attacks and overthinking, then I started to look at the space, the sky and always would see the planes fly. Then I began to think the same way as you did my friend, became aware of everything and how big the sky and world is and how small we are, I think indeed existential terror. After alot of exposure and praying I was able in 2019-2020 to go outside again, also had DR/DP anxiety of the sky and just by thinking or looking at it. While 2020-2021 was with ups and downs. It started with small walks, praying etc. 2022 I took the plane 2x and I was so happy I overcame it! I saw the sky as something beautiful and creation of God. 2023 got engaged and 2024 married went 2x flying on a plane. There was always a fear that was trying to enter but I would pray…

Now the thing is 5 weeks ago I had an violent intrusive thought of my own wife, I was depressed and dwelling on my mind again… probably I ve got some form of ocd too? Anxiety disorder took a toll in this life I am blessed with, but now I overcame that thought but all of the sudden those old thoughts are coming back and it made me sick, because I will always see the sky, the greatness and creation of our God, why am I afraid? Is it because of the thinking? Because of how small I am and this world so big?

How are you doing now? I got now a therapist and with the grace of God I want and need help.