Aquaphobia is a fear that water can cause. This phobia makes people feel anxious when they see or think of water. Aquaphobic may avoid water, such as pools, showers, and swimming pools. Many people who have aquaphobia have experienced traumatic interactions with water. Exposure therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and medication can help overcome your fear of water.
OVERVIEW
What is aquaphobia?
Aquaphobia is a fear of water. Aqua is Latin for water, and Phobos is Greek for fear.
Aquaphobia can lead to extreme anxiety or fear of water. Aquaphobic may avoid places near water, such as lakes or swimming pools. In severe cases, people may be forced to stop using the sink for washing their faces or brushing their teeth.
What is a Phobia?
Phobias can be described as a type of anxiety disorder. These are extreme fears of an event or situation that’s not necessarily dangerous in reality.
Aquaphobia is a specific type of phobia disorder. Fearful responses can be triggered by a particular object (water).
What should an aquaphobic person fear?
Aquaphobia can lead to fear of:
- Showers and baths
- Being splashed or sprayed with water.
- Get water.
- Lakes, oceans and rivers, as well as other water bodies.
- Get water from the tap.
Who is at the greatest risk of aquaphobia?
If you have aquaphobia or another type of phobia disorder, you may be more susceptible to developing it.
- Another fear.
- Anxiety disorder.
- Panic disorder.
- Substance abuse disorder.
What are other fears that aquaphobia is associated with?
Aquaphobia is also linked to other phobias:
- Fear of Bathing, Ablutophobia
- Fear of Waves, Cymophobia.
- Megalohydrothalassophobia, fear of underwater creatures or objects.
- Fear of large bodies of water, Thalassophobia
What is the difference between aquaphobia and hydrophobia?
Hydrophobia is fear of water that is caused by a late-stage Rabies infection. Hydrophobic people experience muscle spasms when they taste, hear or see water.
Aquaphobia is a fear of water not caused by a medical condition.
What is the prevalence of aquaphobia?
Aquaphobia affects between 2% and 3 per cent of Americans. Aquaphobia is more common in children than it is in adults.
SYMPTOMS & CAUSES
What causes aquaphobia?
Aquaphobia could be caused by:
- Previous traumatic events: Anyone who has experienced water-related trauma can develop aquaphobia. You or someone you know may have experienced near-drowning.
- Stories about negative water: Many people have heard horror stories about water, drowning, and shipwrecks in their childhood. Some people watch scary movies about water incidents, like the shark in “Jaws,” a 1975 film.
- Family history If one of your relatives or parents has a phobic disorder, or an anxiety disorder, the risk of developing aquaphobia is higher. You might be more anxious than others if you have a gene mutation (change).
- Modelling You might develop aquaphobia by listening to someone with the same fear or seeing them talk about it.
What are the symptoms of aquaphobia?
The severity of aquaphobia symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Most common symptoms include extreme anxiety around water or when thinking about it. Other symptoms include:
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Intense sweating ( hyperhidrosis).
- Nausea.
- Pale skin.
- Panic attacks.
- Rapid breathing and high heart rate.
- A strong feeling of terror.
- Tense, trembling or shaking muscles.
- Problems are sleeping ( insomnia).
What are the aquaphobia triggers?
Aquaphobia can be triggered by anything related to water. Aquaphobia can be triggered by thinking or seeing water in:
- Showers, bathtubs and sinks
- Bodies are water, such as rivers, oceans and lakes.
- Drinks.
- Fountains in parks, malls, and gardens
- Movies and TV shows
- Swimming pools
DIAGNOSIS AND TEST
What is aquaphobia?
Aquaphobia can disrupt your life. Your healthcare provider might recommend seeing a psychologist or other mental health professional.
If you fear water, you may suffer from a phobic disorder.
- Extreme anxiety.
- Continues for at least six more months
- This will help you avoid going to parks, swimming pools or picnicking at a lake with water.
- It can be disruptive to your daily life.
- Triggers fear and anxiety symptoms that aren’t related to the actual danger.
- This extreme anxiety is usually caused by contact with water.
MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
What is the treatment for aquaphobia?
Exposure therapy is one treatment for aquaphobia. Your mental health provider will expose you to situations and imagery that could trigger your symptoms. They will help you to manage your responses. People with specific phobias can see improvements in their symptoms after receiving this type of psychotherapy (talk therapy).
These steps are what you will encounter during exposure therapy.
- You can learn relaxation and breathing techniques that you can use during and before exposures.
- See images and videos of water.
- Gradually, you will be able to see water in a tub, glass or sink.
- Run water.
- Walk or look at a swimming pool or body of water.
- Finally, get into a swimming pool or body of water.
