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. Join. 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 be given assignments to visit the ocean while remaining safely onshore to test some common coping mechanisms. 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. Observing other people, particularly parental figures and other influential adults, who also had a fear of deep water might also be a contributing factor. Considering some of the alien-like fish that can be found there, it's a perfectly understandable phobia. . Block, MD, Techniques to Take the Fight or Flight Response, The 5 Best Relaxation Techniques for Phobias. Before seeking support, you may want to consider taking an informal thalassophobia “test” to help gauge the degree of your phobia. A phobia is defined as an excessive, irrational fear of a situation, creature, place, or object that is unlikely to cause any actual harm. Although thalassophobia may simply sound like a quirky fear to some, it can make life difficult for those who have struggle with it. 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. A person with thalassophobia will experience that same reaction even if the response is out of proportion to the actual danger. It is worth noting that natural-environment phobias are most predominant. Like all phobias, it may vary dramatically in severity from person to person. Imagine how you felt the last time you were faced with something dangerous. There are also a number of risk factors that might increase the likelihood that a person will develop a specific phobia such as thalassophobia. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder. 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. 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. 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. 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. Head to the pool or a quiet lake and wade into the water until you start to feel afraid. Cryophobia (or Frigophobia or Cheimatophobia) is a fear of cold, cold weather or cold things. Aquaphobia (from Latin aqua 'water', and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear') is an irrational fear of water. Once your doctor understands your medical and symptom history, you may then be formally diagnosed with a specific phobia. 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. Clinical Psychology Review. These complications can ultimately end up impacting many different areas of a person’s life. Read our, Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Have you heard of the Loch Ness Monster? ), International Handbook of Cognitive and Behavioral Treatments for Psychological Disorders. Clinical Psychology Review. If this fear rings true, you may be suffering from a common phobia called thalassophobia. Posted by 1 year ago. 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. The word 'thalassophobia' comes from the Greek... See full answer below. The more you discuss with your therapist, the easier it will be to help them determine the origin of your phobia and work with you to overcome it. Irene in woman magazine. 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. I have listened to hundreds of experiences from being told to jump in the deep end as a child and 2 adults on holiday staying in an off shore house at the time when we first heard of a Tsunami that happened on Boxing Day in Indonesia . The most important thing to remember when trying to cope with your thalassophobia is to be kind to yourself. The term thalassophobia steps from the Greek thalassa ("the sea") and phobos ("fear"). Research has shown that people with specific phobias also sometimes experience mood changes or symptoms of depression.. 2014; 5(2):140-145. Individuals with the phobia are frightened mainly by the creatures that are under the sea. Moderator of r/thalassophobia Archived. The key is to only confront your fear in a well-controlled environment. Many people have an extreme fear of water. Although the name is long and complicated, the description is pretty simple — it is defined as the persistent fear of vast, deep and often dark bodies of water, which to us humans often feels dangerous. Some people are only afraid of deep water or strong waves, while others fear swimming pools and bathtubs. It will help you control your thoughts instead of feeling overwhelmed by them. Also known as Psychophobia. 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 … It is also not a fear of swimming. Specific phobia and comorbid depression: A closer look at the National Comorbidity Survey Data. 2008; 28(6): 1021-1037. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2008.02.007, Wechsler TF, Kümpers F, Mühlberger A. Inferiority or even superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy in phobias?-a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials specifically comparing the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to gold standard in vivo exposure in agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia. 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. For a more formal diagnosis, you will need to consult a health professional such as a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist. 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