Crashing waves and flooding during a storm are frightening too.
But this normal discomfort with intense water situations is not the same as having a phobia.
Aquaphobia, or fear of water, is a fairly commonphobia.
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Like all phobias, it may vary dramatically in severity from person to person.
Some people are only afraid of deep water or strong waves, while others fear swimming pools and bathtubs.
It can be common or worse for people who cannot swim.
Occasionally, aquaphobia is so pervasive that even being splashed or sprayed with water can cause aphobic reaction.
Causes
The most common cause of aquaphobia is a previous negative experience.
Learning to swim is a rite of passage for many children, and frightening experiences are common.
The way that these situations are handled plays a major role in determining whether a phobia will occur.
The negative experience need not have happened to you specifically.
Symptoms
Like all specific phobias, the symptoms of aquaphobia vary between sufferers.
In general, the more severe the phobia, the more severe the symptoms will be.
You might shake, freeze in place, or attempt to escape.
You may developanticipatory anxietyin the days or weeks preceding an upcoming encounter with water.
You might refuse to enter the water or begin panicking as soon as you step in.
Complications
Water is an innate part of human life.
Swimming is a common activity at summer camps, on vacation, and at parties or social events.
Avoiding water altogether may be difficult or awkward.
If your fear extends to water splashes and sprays, it can be even more life-limiting.
Fountains are a decorating staple at theme parks, resorts, and even local malls.
Some of these fountains perform elaborately choreographed water routines, which may splash bystanders.
Water splashes are also a common effect in carnival rides and games.
In some cases, aquaphobia can lead toablutophobiaor fear of bathing.
This relatively rare phobia can also have a devastating impact on self-esteem.
CBT will show you how to identify and replace negative self-talk with more positive messages.
It will also teach you how tocope with your fear.
In the treatment of phobias, there is commonly a component of exposure.
to accomplish this,the therapist can help you overcome your fear with incremental steps.
Nonetheless, with the help of a skilledtherapist, aquaphobia can be successfully managed and even overcome.
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American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
