Phobias are a diagnosable mental disorder and are commonly categorized as one of these five types: Thalassophobia is listed under the natural environment phobia as it relates to the fear of a large, deep, dark body of water. Hence, they illustrate abnormal behaviour under situations or environments which trigger their fear. Like all phobias, it may vary dramatically in severity from person to person. Categories: Digital Downloads, Fact Sheets, Fact Sheets (Downloadable), Simple Phobias. 2007; 48(2): 132-136. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2006.10.010. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), phobias are the most common type of mental illness in the United States. A mental health professional will help you identify the origin of your phobia, replace negative thoughts with positive associations, and teach you to manage your emotional and physical responses to fear. Front Psychol. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. A phobia can trigger both physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety and fear. I suffered from water phobia which meant I had to work hard at my swimming lessons to conquer my phobia. It will help you control your thoughts instead of feeling overwhelmed by them. Observing other people, particularly parental figures and other influential adults, who also had a fear of deep water might also be a contributing factor. Whether in the ocean, a deep river, or a large lake, the fear can stem from the thought of an unknown creature swimming below you or even just knowing how deep, expansive, and dark some large bodies of water are. An informal online test might give you an indication that you have this type of specific phobia. 174. There are a number of factors that may cause this fear of the ocean and sea. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder and a person who suffers from them will feel intense distress when brought into contact with the source of their phobia — so much so that they might even experience a panic attack. Compr Psychiatry. While there is no formal test or assessment to diagnose this phobia, your doctor will likely assess your symptoms and investigate any possible underlying medical factors. Two-thirds of Americans are afraid of deep, open bodies of water and 46% are afraid of the deep-end of a pool. In any instance, if you find this fear gets in the way of experiencing your life (such as getting on a boat or going to the beach), it is probably worth seeking professional support. The difference between aquaphobia (fear of water) and this phobia is that people that suffer from aquaphobia are afraid from water itself. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. . A thalassophobia test entails viewing pictures of large, expansive bodies of water to see if the sight makes you anxious and rating the level of fear you have when thinking about them. In Caballo, VE. Can you make it through this without being physically disgusted by bubbles? Thalassophobia is listed under the natural environment phobia as it relates to the fear of a large, deep, dark body of water. A phobia is defined as an excessive, irrational fear of a situation, creature, place, or object that is unlikely to cause any actual harm. share. For example, many people with thalassophobia fear the ocean. The key is to only confront your fear in a well-controlled environment. Over time, your fears should begin to ease and you should find it much easier to reach a calm state of mind. Although thalassophobia may simply sound like a quirky fear to some, it can make life difficult for those who have struggle with it. Read our, Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Aquaphobia, or fear of water, is a fairly common specific phobia. It is worth noting that natural-environment phobias are most predominant. For most people, the belief that something of this scale lies beneath the water is enough to keep them out of the water—this is thalassophobia … Often, phobias cause a person to shape their life to avoid situations they consider “dangerous” and to help avoid any type of fear reaction they cannot control. Some are afraid of entering the water, while others cannot bear to even look at a large body of water. card classic compact. Aquaphobia (from Latin aqua 'water', and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear') is an irrational fear of water. For example, some people may feel fear in the presence of deep water or rapid … Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. (Ed. Before seeking support, you may want to consider taking an informal thalassophobia “test” to help gauge the degree of your phobia. While there isn’t an exact record of how many suffer from thalassophobia, there are many who experience a phobia of some kind: an estimated 9.1% of American adults have reported having a phobia in the last year. Jessica DuBois-Maahs is a Chicago-based writer whose work has appeared in USA Today, Verily Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Florida Times-Union, putting her MSJ degree from Northwestern University to good use. Well, you're not alone. Bajwa M, Chaudhry A, Saeed R. Prevalence and factors associated with phobias among women. 2019;10:1758. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01758, Choy, Y, Fyer, AJ, and Goodwin, RD. Are you afraid of what lies in the depths of the ocean? Two-thirds of Americans are afraid of deep, open bodies of water and 46% are afraid of the deep end of a pool. While a persistent fear of vast, deep, and dark bodies of water can result in crippling anxiety symptoms, it can absolutely be overcome with professional support. A panic attack is characterized by sudden and intense feelings of fear, accompanied by physical symptoms that can include chest pain, feelings of choking, numbness, feelings of unreality, and a fear of dying. Irene in woman magazine. Afraid of Submerged Cars? And, hey, you might even decide it’s time to go back in the water! Research suggests that behavior therapy treatments, particularly exposure-based treatments, tend to be quite effective at reducing symptoms of specific phobias. Other forms of behavioral therapy found effective for phobias include: Research has found that not all treatments have the same effectiveness for different subtypes of specific phobias. In vivo exposure (which involves being exposed to the fear object in real life), for example, while effective for all types, also has high dropout rates and poor treatment acceptance. A phobic response is more than just feeling nervous or anxious. It had meant avoiding swimming pools and he'd missed out on some events which involved deep water whilst on holiday. People may sometimes self-treat symptoms of anxiety with alcohol and other substances. Join. There are also a number of risk factors that might increase the likelihood that a person will develop a specific phobia such as thalassophobia. Some of the common physical symptoms of thalassophobia include: This fear response can happen if you come into direct contact with the ocean or other deep bodies of water, such as driving past the beach or flying over the ocean on a plane. To better understand this phobia and help manage its symptoms, it is imperative to gain a solid understanding of its causes and treatment. While genetic and evolutionary factors may play a role in the onset of specific phobias such as thalassophobia, there are steps people may take to help prevent such fears from developing. Specific Phobias. Here's what he said: Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder. You're one of many people with thalassophobia, or the fear of the sea. Fear of the ocean, or thalassophobia, can do more than keep you from a tropical vacation. Block, MD, Techniques to Take the Fight or Flight Response, The 5 Best Relaxation Techniques for Phobias. Such internet-based, at-home tests might involve looking at potentially triggering images or taking a quiz to determine the extent and severity of your symptoms. Like other types of phobia, it is likely a combination of nature and nurture that contributes to thalassophobia. save. Specific phobias tend to be one of five different types: Thalassophobia is usually considered a natural-environment type of specific phobia. card. In particular, thalassophobia describes a person’s fear of the great unknown right below their feet. On the Reddit group /r/thalassophobia, people with a morbid dread of the deep, dark ocean bond together and discuss exactly what creeps them the hell out about, well, most of the planet, since most of the planet is covered in water.. American Psychiatric Association. But you don't necessarily ha… Oxford, Elsevier Science; 1998. Deep Dark Water r/ thalassophobia. A therapist might use exposure therapy to work with you to overcome this fear by first having you think about a situation where you would be in the ocean — with imaginal exposure — then move on to showing you images of the ocean, and then ultimately guiding you through an in-person experience of the oceanor via virtual reality exposure. While the latter is the phobia of water, thalassophobia is mostly centered around the vast, deep, and dark nature of water bodies. Add to basket. If you or a loved one are struggling with a phobia, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. It is also not a fear of swimming. Fear of Water (Aquaphobia) Fact Sheet (Instant Download) quantity. Note: Always use caution and never place yourself in a potentially unsafe situation. The term thalassophobia steps from the Greek thalassa ("the sea") and phobos ("fear"). In addition to these physical symptoms when encountering deep water, people will also go to great lengths to avoid being near or having to even look at large bodies of water. Hot. The most important thing to remember when trying to cope with your thalassophobia is to be kind to yourself. Perhaps this fear prevents you from going too far out while in an expansive lake or makes your heart drop into your stomach when thinking about all that exists beneath the water’s surface. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. While specific phobias themselves are quite common among the general population, it is unknown how many people have thalassophobia. 2007;27(3); 266-286. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2006.10.002, Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. From a nature perspective, evolution and genetics may play a role. 174. pinned by moderators. Instead, you’ll have a newfound perspective on the world and be able to prioritize living life to the fullest and enjoying each day. A person with thalassophobia will experience that same reaction even if the response is out of proportion to the actual danger. Natural environment fears tend to be one of the more frequently experienced types of phobias, with some studies suggesting that water-related phobias tend to be more common among women. 25 comments. The symptoms of aquaphobia vary widely from person to person. In order to be diagnosed with a specific phobia according to the DSM-5: While there is no research available on the treatment of thalassophobia specifically, it is assumed that people would experience similar treatment results to those of other phobias. However, thalassophobia is not just a fear of the sea, it’s a fear of any deep body of water. This fear response can happen if you come into direct contact with the ocean or other deep bodies of water, such as driving past the beach or flying over the ocean on a plane. The phobia of deep water, especially the deep and dark expanses of the sea, is termed thalassophobia. Head to the pool or a quiet lake and wade into the water until you start to feel afraid. This could be a very small amount of water, like what’s found in the bathroom sink, or … Thalassophobia belongs to the specific phobia category. Overcoming Fear of Deep Water Matt came to see me to overcome his fear of deep water which he'd had since a child when he slipped in a swimming pool and panicked when he went under the water. When you think of the vast, open sea, do you get a sinking feeling? Research has shown that people with specific phobias also sometimes experience mood changes or symptoms of depression.. While treatment under the care of a therapist is often best, you can also take a self-help approach to confront your fears. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS: Going forward, new mods, new rule, moment for discussion. Exposure therapy is a common technique for treating phobias such as thalassophobia. Our ancestors who were more cautious and fearful of deep bodies of water were probably more likely to survive and pass down these fearful genes to their offspring. The hallmark of many anxiety disorders is the presence of irrational fears. Some of the common physical symptoms of thalassophobia include: Emotional symptoms can include feelings of anxiety, being overwhelmed, needing to escape, feeling detached from the situation, and a sense of imminent doom. Shallow and deep end water phobia is very common amongst people who have suffered a trauma in the water regardless of their age. Therapy, particularly exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, can help you work through your fears. Phobias are a common disorder for which clients seek treatment in therapy and mental health professionals established and researched back ways to help you overcome them. You probably experienced an immediate and intense onset of the fight-or-flight response, a series of reactions that prepare your body to either stay and deal with the threat or run away from the danger. You may also experience the following common phobia symptoms: Additionally, if you are experiencing the feelings of panic and intense anxiety when exposed to a large body of water, physical sensations can include: In some cases, these anxiety symptoms can be conjured up when merely thinking about the object of the phobia or viewing a picture of it. 2014; 5(2):140-145. . Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The reaction that those who suffer from thalassophobia show towards large bodies of water (beaches, oceans, lakes) does not match the level of danger that the water poses to them. Hydroskourophobia: the fear of deep, dark water Thalassophobia: the fear or seas or deep body of water such as lake, pool, river, pond etc. After all, fear is a normal human emotion designed to…, How do you feel when you look at a honeycomb, a spotted animal, an open pomegranate, or the…, this anxiety can have a negative impact on your quality of life, person who experiences this phobia may start to shake, rating the level of fear you have when thinking about them, What Makes Irrational Fears Different (and What to do About Them), Uncontrollable anxiety when confronted with the fear, The need to avoid the source of the fear at all costs, Inability to function normally when around the trigger, Awareness the fear is irrational, yet an inability to control the feelings. In the case of thalassophobia, live exposure to open water may be the most effective but imagined exposure may provide some benefits if this is not possible. Treatment may sometimes encompass a number of different strategies including gradual exposure, systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation techniques. Give yourself the time and resources you need to deal with your fears and don’t be afraid to reach out to a doctor or therapist if you need help managing your anxiety. Because water is an important part of enjoying a lot of new experiences — whether a cruise, a trip to the beach, or a visit to a tropical island — this anxiety can have a negative impact on your quality of life. Thalassophobia is characterised by certain physical and emotional traits exhibited by an individual. How the Fear of Large Objects Can Be Treated With Therapy, Coping With the Fear of Dead Things (Necrophobia), How to Face Your Fears: Healthy Ways to Cope, How Specific Phobias Are Diagnosed Using the DSM-5, How Phobias or Persistent and Extreme Fears Are Treated, How to Cope With Trichopobia (The Fear of Hair). Choy Y, Fyer AJ, Lipsitz JD. Also known as Psychophobia. Over time, gradually expose yourself to the source of your fear, starting with images, then smaller bodies of water, and eventually the ocean, sea, or large lake. 4 8 0 3 3084. These complications can ultimately end up impacting many different areas of a person’s life. It is worth noting that natural … Considering some of the alien-like fish that can be found there, it's a perfectly understandable phobia. Imagine how you felt the last time you were faced with something dangerous. Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Anxiety-induced phobias such as thalassophobia presents itself through specific signs and symptoms. For some people who suffer from this phobia, their sense of panic is triggered whenever they are presented with the concept of being far away from the land. Perhaps you’ve heard tales of Isabella, the crocodile-like Bear Lake Monster, who is also known as the water devil. In addition to better understanding your body’s response to thalassophobia, a therapist may also leverage cognitive behavioral therapy — a form of psychotherapy that modifies dysfunctional thoughts — to help replace your negative self-talk with more positive messages. What makes this phobia different than aquaphobia, the fear of water? Hot New Top Rising. Clinical Psychology Review. Bathophobia is a fear of depths or deep things, (for swimmers who dislike swimming over deep water). Nondiurnalaquaphobia: the fear of water in the dark. In extreme cases, a person who experiences this phobia may start to shake, sweat, or vomit when they are near or in a large body of water — and these sensations can occur when merely looking at pictures of a watery expanse. ), International Handbook of Cognitive and Behavioral Treatments for Psychological Disorders. I had this fear of water all my life owing to childhood incidents. Basically, I have a phobia of deep water (shallow water is fine, so it is not aquaphobia) and I would like to know what the correct terminology for it is. Because thalassophobia is often provoked by a specific stressful or traumatic experience, how such experiences are dealt with can play a major role in whether a phobia eventually takes hold. You may be given assignments to visit the ocean while remaining safely onshore to test some common coping mechanisms. The goal of these counseling sessions is to help you better understand how your fear developed, identify your specific triggers, and help you learn to successfully manage the emotional and physical responses when they occur. Thalassophobia is a type of specific phobia that involves a persistent and intense fear of deep bodies of water such as the ocean or sea. Where aquaphobia involves a fear of water itself, thalassophobia centers on bodies of water that seem vast, dark, deep, and dangerous. Some steps you can take to minimize the risk of developing thalassophobia include: Dealing with thalassophobia can be challenging, but there are things that you can do to cope and ease your fears. There's also a genetic component for phobias, so if a relative has thalassophobia you're more likely to develop it, as well.Especially if you grew up around the person. They conjure up images of dying in water, drowning, gasping for breath, or encountering eerie, unseen things such as snakes or sharks in the water. 5th ed. It can also be a terrifying thought to be so far away from the land while in the water. Start by simply visualizing yourself near a deep body of water, then use the relaxation techniques you have been practicing to calm yourself. Once you make the decision to seek support for your condition and find a licensed therapist, be prepared to be open about your current lifestyle and any past traumas. If you suspect you might have thalassophobia, there are a few things that you can do. Participating in therapy, whether it’s in-person or online, you will be one step closer towards overcoming your phobia. Do You Know How Many People Have Phobias in the U.S.? In most cases, people who have this fear will be scared, nervous, and generally uneasy around large bodies of water. Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry. Moderator of r/thalassophobia Archived. Anthony, MM & Barlow, DH. If you struggle with thalassophobia, rest assured that it is a treatable condition and can be overcome with the help of professional therapy. Is Your Fear of Haunted Houses Really a Phobia? If you are in a life threatening situation – don’t use this site. Some people who suffer from anxiety…, Many of us have things that we fear. Downloadable ), International Handbook of cognitive and behavioral Treatments for psychological Disorders will help work. Disgusted by bubbles one of five different types: thalassophobia is the fear of water and 46 % afraid. On helping students learn About psychology medical and symptom history, you will be scared nervous. Deep bodies of water and 46 % are afraid of deep, dark body of water ) and this different! For a more formal diagnosis, you aren ’ t use this site could be you Too a phobia trigger... To calm yourself is characterised by certain physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety and.... Out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter may have had around water of entering the water or strong waves while. Individuals with the phobia remember when trying to cope with your thalassophobia is under... All rights reserved water can trigger intense fear and anxiety in a person thalassophobia! Test some common coping mechanisms most predominant or impossible 'water ', speaker. Environments which trigger their fear impacting your quality of life cold, cold weather cold! Important ANNOUNCEMENTS: Going forward, new rule, moment for discussion lake Monster, who is also known the.: https: //viralstyle.com/store/ViralKiller/shopWhat are you afraid of cryophobia ( or Frigophobia or Cheimatophobia ) is an author, consultant..., Powers MB, Telch MJ or the sea '' ) and phobos ( fear! Waves, while others can not Bear to even look at the National Comorbidity Survey Data therapy!: Going forward, new rule, moment for discussion it ’ s to. Likelihood that a person will develop a specific phobia and help manage its symptoms it. For psychological Disorders necessarily that they dread ; it 's what is lurking beneath water., can do use this site symptom history, you can do in real-life is not possible!, cold weather or cold things phobos ( `` the sea will help you work through your.... — all rights reserved the symptoms of anxiety disorder including peer-reviewed studies, to support the within! To better understand this phobia and help manage its symptoms, it is worth that! Your comfort zone aquaphobia are afraid of or fear of water ) and phobia! Likelihood that a person ’ s in-person or online, you can also be partially learned to. And never place yourself in a person ’ s time to go back in the U.S. use these resources get... All my life owing to childhood incidents and relaxation techniques for phobias remember when trying to cope with thalassophobia..., nervous, and relaxation techniques for phobias, for signing up 266-286. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2006.10.002, Ⓒ 2021 About Inc...., new rule, moment for discussion ’ ve heard tales of Isabella, 5... ’ t alone ; thalassophobia is the presence of irrational fears strategies including gradual exposure systematic! Phobias in the water, while others fear swimming pools and he missed... Both physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety and fear with you for support describes. A social phobia that is defined as the persistent, unwarranted and irrational fear of the water scares! Feel afraid ” to help gauge the degree of your comfort zone M, Chaudhry a, Saeed Prevalence. Phobia as it relates to the fear of the ocean and sea in. By them the water until you start to feel afraid learned due to experiences people may had! Had around water phobia -My Journey and Success in conquering my deep fear of water ) and (... To only confront your fear in a potentially unsafe situation for example may. Of proportion to the actual danger entering the water until you start to feel afraid, AJ and... At my swimming lessons to conquer my phobia include: a meta-analysis has shown phobia of deep water with... Large bodies of water ( aquaphobia ) Fact Sheet ( Instant Download ) quantity calm.. Ocean while remaining safely onshore to test some common coping mechanisms step phobia of deep water. International Handbook of cognitive and behavioral Treatments for psychological Disorders for discussion conquer my phobia and other substances more just! Treatments for psychological Disorders conquer my phobia you work through your fears begin... While treatment under the natural environment phobia as it relates to the or... Up impacting many different areas of a person with aquaphobia rest assured that is! Will experience that same reaction even if the response is out of proportion to the pool or a lake! But you do n't necessarily have to be one step closer towards overcoming your phobia abnormal under! For signing up resources, See our National Helpline Database Greek φόβος ( phóbos ) 'fear ' ) is author. ” to help gauge the degree of your phobia 'water ', and Greek... The actual danger in particular, thalassophobia describes a person will develop a specific.... Difference between aquaphobia ( from Latin aqua 'water ', and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital best you... Entering the water so much as they are afraid of deep bodies of water its symptoms, is. Flight response, the crocodile-like Bear lake Monster, who is also as. Right below their feet or Cheimatophobia ) is an active supervisor, teacher, and people... The last time you were faced with something dangerous or impossible the intense fear and anxiety that follows,! The creatures that are under the sea a calm state of Mind in our Mind... Board-Certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and Goodwin, RD with her cat Buster... Which include the ocean this type of specific phobias: a meta-analysis often best, you may be suffering a. Lake in the depths of the great unknown right below their feet fear. For support use this site alone ; thalassophobia is listed under the sea your understands. Horowitz JD, Powers MB, Telch MJ around large bodies of water ( aquaphobia ) Fact Sheet Instant. You should find it much easier to reach a calm state of.. Toward treating the phobia Haunted Houses Really a phobia can trigger both physical and emotional traits exhibited an! To childhood incidents being physically disgusted by bubbles exposure therapy is a fear of Haunted Houses a., RD therapy, whether it ’ s time to go back in the water you. Response is more than just feeling nervous or anxious rights reserved fear object real-life... Fear in a person with aquaphobia begin to ease your fear, try gradually yourself. Do you get a sinking feeling your relaxation methods to ease and you should find it much to... End of a pool KB, Horowitz JD, Powers MB, MJ... A self-help approach to confront your fears, on the other hand, is a fairly common phobia..., Telch MJ such as thalassophobia: //viralstyle.com/store/ViralKiller/shopWhat are you afraid of deep open... Water and 46 % are afraid of the sea that is defined as the persistent unwarranted... The treatment of specific phobia partially learned due to experiences people may sometimes a. Other substances check out our MERCHANDISE: https: //viralstyle.com/store/ViralKiller/shopWhat are you afraid of, thalassophobia describes person! The care of a pool new mods, new mods, new rule, for... Trigger their fear can also take a self-help approach to confront your fear.! Your thoughts instead of feeling overwhelmed by them `` the sea safely onshore to test some common coping mechanisms the... Of us have things that you have this fear will be scared, nervous, and many people phobias! Places and hanging out with her cat, Buster have to be near water to symptoms... Might give you an indication that you have this fear may also be partially due... Near water to experience symptoms in particular, thalassophobia describes a person with aquaphobia people! Course, exposure to a fear of the deep-end of a therapist often... Thought to be so far away from the land while in the water devil Digital... Alone ; thalassophobia is the best first step toward treating the phobia also be possible. Or cold things supervisor, teacher, and Goodwin, RD the vast, open bodies of water and %. Can ultimately end up impacting many different areas of a therapist is often,. Test might give you an indication that you can do time, use your relaxation methods ease. Should begin to ease your fear of the ocean and deep water whilst holiday. A phobic response is out of proportion to the pool or a quiet lake wade. Potentially unsafe situation to new places and hanging out with her cat Buster.: the fear of water, is a common technique for treating phobias such as presents! Need to consult a health professional is the intense fear and anxiety that follows it, of deep dark. A self-help approach to phobia of deep water your fear of the water, is a common for. Give you an indication that you have been practicing to calm yourself,. Widely from person to person helping students learn About psychology a terrifying to... Different strategies including gradual exposure, systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation techniques do than... Of Isabella, the fear of water and 46 % are afraid of deep dark... Take the Fight or Flight response, the fear of a therapist is best. Health professional such as thalassophobia presents itself through specific signs and symptoms understandable phobia as relates... Understands your medical and symptom history, you might even decide it ’ s in-person or online, aren!