Even though water is considered as a source of exciting fun and enjoyment, for some people visiting places like water parks or coastal areas is not less than a nightmare. Such people face an extreme, irrational, and insistent threat of water called ‘aquaphobia’. Most of us have a fear when it comes to water. Naturally, we overcome those phobias or learn ways to deal with them. But if you have aquaphobia, you live with a persistent and abnormal amount of fear that stops you from even getting close to water.
Symptoms of aquaphobia
Seeing water can activate strong fear and anxiety in a person with aquaphobia (fear of water). This could be a very small quantity of water, like what’s found in the restroom/bathroom sink, or a large water body, such as an ocean. The quantity of water isn’t what causes the phobia. It’s the water itself that generates fear and anxiety.
Some of the more common symptoms are:
- An abrupt sensation of intense fear, anxiety, and panic attacks when thinking about water
- An excessive, or unreasonable dread when exposed to water
- Avoiding water
- Sweating
- Fast heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Dizziness or fainting
Causes of aquaphobia
The reasons for specific phobias are not well-understood. However, there’s some signal that phobias can be hereditarily inherited. If you have a family member who has a mental health illness, such as anxiety or other phobias, you might be at risk of evolving that phobia.
Aquaphobia is often begun by a traumatic/disturbing incident during childhood, such as a near-drowning. It can also be the outcome of a series of negative/bad experiences.
Changes in brain function may also play a part in developing specific phobias.
Treatment of aquaphobia
Since aquaphobia is considered a specific phobia, it’s treated most frequently with two types of psychotherapy: Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
The ideal treatment technique is exposure therapy. During this type of therapy, you will be repetitively exposed to the cause of the phobia — in this situation, water. As you are exposed to water, your psychotherapist will keep track of your reactions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations in order to help you manage your nervousness/anxiety.
With Cognitive-behavioral therapy, you will learn to encounter your feelings and views about your fear of water. As you learn to challenge your fears, you will also develop plans to cope up with those assumed patterns and beliefs.
In accumulation to professional treatment, there are also numerous self-care methods you can practice at home. Mindfulness-based strategies, daily physical activity, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing are all helpful tactics when treating phobias.
In the later phases of treatment, you may decide to work with a particularly skilled swimming instructor who can help you learn to feel comfortable with swimming.
Your medic might also recommend medications to treat some symptoms of anxiety and panic.
What’s the outlook?
A treatment idea that consist of psychotherapy — along with the support of loved ones — can help you manage your phobia positively.
If you suspect that you have aquaphobia, make a choice to see your doctor. They can help you find the treatment that will work finest for you.
I hope this article helps you with the knowledge regarding the phobia. Please comment down below if you have anything to share regarding Aquaphobia.