This is how tremophobia manifests itself: the irrational fear of earthquakes that can develop even without having experienced one.

The ground shook in the province of Almería this Monday. It was just after 7:00 a.m. when a magnitude 5.5 earthquake, with its epicenter in the Mediterranean Sea and a depth of just three kilometers, shook several municipalities in Almería.

Although no injuries were reported, the earthquake caused roof collapses at the airport and a car dealership, and caused panic among many residents. For some people, beyond the sheer fear, episodes like this reactivate a difficult-to-control fear: tremophobia, the persistent and intense fear of earthquakes , a real phobia that affects more people than one might think.

Tremophobia, a clinically unrecognized fear

Although not officially recognized by reference diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or the ICD-11 (WHO International Classification of Diseases), tremophobia is a term used to describe the intense and irrational fear of earthquakes. However, it should be noted that, precisely for this reason, we cannot speak of a specific, clinically validated phobia, but rather a term that often appears in informal or educational contexts.

Its meaning is included in some medical and psychological dictionaries—such as that of the University of Navarra Clinic (CUN), which defines it as a "phobia or pathological fear of earthquakes"—but it lacks an official description or established diagnostic criteria. Specialists agree that this fear, when disproportionate and persistent, can be part of an anxiety disorder or lead to post-traumatic stress , especially in people who have experienced real earthquakes.

"To be diagnosed with tremophobia, according to the DSM-5, a person must experience an intense and persistent fear that is disproportionate to the actual danger of earthquakes for a period of at least six months," adds the University of Navarra Clinic.

How is tremophobia treated?

Treatment for tremophobia, like that of many other specific phobias, is usually approached through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), considered the most effective approach for this type of disorder according to the American Psychological Association (APA).

CBT helps the person identify irrational or catastrophic thoughts related to earthquakes, restructure them in a more realistic way, and modify the behavioral responses that fuel the fear.

A key technique within CBT is exposure therapy, which involves gradually and controlledly exposing the patient to stimuli that evoke their fear, allowing them to develop tolerance and reduce anxiety. In the case of tremophobia, this can include watching documentaries or news about earthquakes, participating in seismic drills , or even visiting affected areas, always under professional supervision.