The term astraphobia is composed of the Greek words ἀστραπή (astrape; lightning) and φόβος (phobos; fear).

Efforts are usually made to smother the sound of the thunder; the person may cover their ears or curtain the windows.

Their fear of thunder and lightning cannot be considered a fully developed phobia unless it persists for more than six months.

[citation needed] The most widely used and possibly the most effective treatment for astraphobia is exposure to thunderstorms and eventually building an immunity.

[5] Research confirms high levels of cortisol – a hormone associated with stress – affects dogs during and after thunderstorms.

[5] Remedies include behavioral therapies such as counter conditioning and desensitization, anti-anxiety medications, and dog appeasing pheromone, a synthetic analogue of a hormone secreted by nursing canine mothers.