Most of us love the ocean; the peaceful blue waves, the sounds of waves coming toward the beach, the feeling of wide-open space, all of it. However, for some people, that same open space can create a feeling of complete and utter fear. The extreme and constant fear of open water is termed thalassophobia.
Getting anxious while being at the beach is certainly not ideal; however, for a person with thalassophobia, the mere act of thinking about deep and dark waters is enough to set off panic, giddiness, and an urge to escape all at the same time.
Putting the Pieces Together: A Closer Look at the Definition of Thalassophobia
To say the least, thalassophobia is a type of specific phobia that focuses fears on the vast, deep, or dark oceans, seas, or some other large water bodies. The fear of bottomless pits torments some of the people who have the phobia, the idea of being submerged under an escape-able space, and wondering what lies beneath the surface.
This condition is not exclusively the fear of drowning, and can, in fact, be the fear of the unknown. Something as simple as endless water that goes beyond what the eye can see, or the sheer size of the ocean, can be enough to set off anxiousness in a person.
Understanding the Symptoms of Thalassophobia
Though everyone describes fear differently, thalassophobia has a set of common symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to panic attacks, especially if the person looking at the fear trigger potentially pictures the ocean or any open water.
Some common symptoms include:
- A racing heart, while also short of breath at the sight of the ocean
- Nausea while swimming or discomfort while on a boat
- Sweating or muscle discomfort while deep thinking about water
- Relating sweaty thinking about water with fear of losing control
Some people even find it difficult to describe the time spent away from them for what seems to be relaxing activities.
How Thalassophobia has Evidence of Development Over Time
Understanding the sources of any fear is necessary to be able to face it. Like many phobias, thalassophobia is capable of developing both gradually and suddenly for each individual, and the person’s life experiences determine this.
—Sometimes people develop a fear of the ocean after a traumatic experience such as drowning or getting caught in a rip current. But, for some people, the fear of the ocean and its vastness is the consequence of slow, enduring negative media narratives.
Cultural background may play a part, and if a child is brought up in a setting where the fear of the ocean is expressed, they learn to associate open water with risk and threat.
The veil of uncertainty is something people with anxiety do not tolerate well. The vastness and mysteriousness of the ocean can easily represent a lack of control, reinforcing anxiety.
What is the difference between Thalassophobia and Aquaphobia?
While the two fears look very similar, they are different in some aspects. Aquaphobia is the fear of water in any form, such as the shower, bathtub, pool, or even in the rain. Whereas, Thalassophobia is the fear of huge, unconfined expanses of water.
An unconfident person with aquaphobia may find it difficult to swim in a pool. In contrast, a person with thalassophobia would be able to swim in a pool easily, but would be petrified of the thought of the ocean.
Recognizing the root of fear becomes the basis for determining the type of help to seek for the fear itself. Within the scope of therapy, this will matter.
See also: Understanding the Dismissive Avoidant Attachment Style
Living with Thalassophobia: The Emotional Toll
Ordinarily, people underestimate the severity of the consequences of fear. While it is easy to avoid deeper water, that changes the moment one embarks on a business trip by the coast, attends a friend’s boat party, or sits still to watch one of the endless documentaries.
In the long run, thalassophobia, an extreme fear of the ocean, moves on to restrict one’s travel, lower the number of social ties one can keep, and raise the levels of anxiety one is generally able to live with. In some cases, avoiding the entire ocean and everything that correlates with it may also come to the fore.
This form of avoidance conditioning strengthens the irrational fear one holds. This is the case not only with triggers, anxiety, and the surroundings, but the even deeper thought pattern about water. In the end, the fear a person has is the very thing that makes them believe they have the largest margin of control over every aspect of their life. In the case of water being avoided, control is the least observable.
Why’s the Brain So Intrigued by the Ocean
Why is the brain so quick with the response? Evolution might have something to do with it. For most, the ocean is a picture of the unknown. We can’t breathe underwater, have no control over the tide, and with most of us, the world under the ocean is a world we can’t see. That alone is enough to create discomfort, no matter how one puts it.
Take, for instance, a person with anxiety. In this case, the worries and fears become real. The imagination conjures the worst possibilities. What do you think about this? What if a person falls off a boat? What if, by any chance, there is some creature lurking down there? On top of that, what if this person gets pulled under and no one has the faintest idea?
This response to danger is how most of the phobias begin. The ocean, on the contrary, is not just a sight of beauty and calm. Instead, it is a blueprint of unpredictability and risk.
Treatment Options That Help
As for thalassophobia, it sure is something that can be treated. More so, with the proper techniques, an individual can control their anxiety and begin to spend time in the water. The purpose is not to love the ocean, but to not feel imprisoned by the fear of it and attribute it to something gif.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
You can use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for people with phobias, as it is one of the most effective methods for helping people. The ‘dread’ triggering thoughts can rest, provided thought processes are filtered to align with reality. The thought,” If I go in the ocean, something terrible will happen,” is one that is more common. With CBT, that thought will be brought to reality in a more rational and balanced manner.
Exposure Therapy
In this example, we use the ocean, whereby gradual exposure will help desensitize the brain to fear. This certainly doesn’t mean that one will jump into the sea on the first day. Exposure will start with as little as looking at images of the ocean, watching videos about the ocean, and walking on the beach. This is a self-paced practice. With time, the body understands that these situations are safer than they have previously been assessed to be.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and grounding exercises, assist in the management of anxiety’s physical manifestations. Remaining calm physically, the body is more likely to assess the situation as opposed to panicking rationally.
‘Virtual Reality’ Therapy
Use of virtual reality as a tool can be very effective in helping people with anxiety regarding the oceans. Some clinics are now using virtual reality for exposure therapy, in which patients learn to relate to and with open water settings that are safe and controlled. This is a very effective practice that simplifies the process of exposure.
How To Help Someone With Thalassophobia
Your support can relieve some of the burden your loved one carries as they grapple with this phobia each day. In this scenario, the worst response is saying, “You just need to get over it.”
If the phobia they experience is markedly impacting the person’s quality of life, they should be encouraged to seek therapy. There is no need to pressure the individual to accomplish major goals right away; small milestones, such as watching a movie about the sea or standing on a dock, should be celebrated.
Being patient, informed, and kind will assist the individual in their recovery more effectively than other strategies.
“Silencing” the Fear
Has there ever been a moment in your life where your mind has been completely quiet, no thoughts, just silence? There’s a saying that “a mind that is quiet is a mind that is in perfect stillness.” But this silence can be deafening; there’s not much a person can do in this silence but listen.
Simply accepting fear as a part of life is the first step. It is worth noting that fear does not just appear; it festers. Avoiding fear, however, can be counterproductive. Therapy does not make fear disappear, but it does empower the individual to live without the overwhelming need to control it.
Life After Thalassophobia
Can you breathe easily whilst on the beach? Can you go on a trip and not feel anxious? These goals can be achieved over a period of time.
Recovery can be swimming in the deep sea or not. It is all fine, and with that, you can still get your freedom from fear. It is still not the end of the world. Decisions can still be made out of joy and not dread.
To some, the ocean may be vast and a bit haunting, and that is perfectly fine. It is not true and the treatment is written. Understanding the fear and taking action brings power, nd that is not limited to thalassophobia but over life.
Takeaway Ideas
If your sloshing fear is angling your life in the wrong direction and is immersing you in emotional turmoil, you are not the only one, and it is okay. With the proper guidance, the thalassophobia never vanishes, but instead, it can be faced head-on. It is important to get help to regain control over your life. All members of the Clearmind Treatment team acknowledge the debilitating nature of phobias such as thalassophobia. We personalize treatment to the specific needs of each patient and provide gradual exposure therapy in a safe and supportive environment. On the other side of thalassophobia recovery, a more confident and self-assured version of yourself is ready to be discovered.
