Table of contents:
- What is water phobia?
- Various symptoms of water phobia
- Why does someone get phobic water?
- Overcoming water phobia
Phobias are one of the extreme anxiety disorders that make a person experience excessive fear of certain situations, living things, places, or objects. One type of phobia that is quite common is water phobia (phobia water).
What is water phobia?
Water phobia, also known as aquaphobia is an excessive and unreasonable fear of water. However, not everyone usually has the same type of fear.
Some people are just afraid of deep water or big waves, while others may be afraid to see water that has collected in a container such as a swimming pool or bathtub. Besides, some people have aquaphobia may be genuinely afraid to be exposed to water even if you only see puddles on the street or splash of water.
Various symptoms of water phobia
In people who have phobiawater, dealing with water raises its own fear. However, usually people have aquaphobia realizing that this fear was absurd. Besides, someone who experienced phobia water will experience a variety of common symptoms such as:
- Excessive feelings of fear, anxiety, and panic when imagining water.
- Excessive and unreasonable fear of being exposed to water.
- Strongly avoid water and all water-related activities.
- Sweating.
- Heart palpitations.
- Chest tightness and difficulty breathing.
- Nausea.
- Dizziness or fainting.
Why does someone get phobic water?
Quoted from Verywell Mind, causes phobia water, the most common is the existence of bad experiences to trauma about water in the past. For example, you have nearly drowned, have had a boat accident, and a series of other frightening events related to water.
This condition can also occur due to a series of negative experiences that you have had and are related to water. In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that phobias can be genetically inherited. If you have a family history of phobias, then you are at risk for phobias too.
Overcoming water phobia
Because aquaphobia included in specific phobias, generally there are two forms of psychotherapy that are commonly used, namely exposure therapy (exposure therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Exposure therapy (exposure therapy) is done by continuing to provide the source of your fear, which is water. When you are given a fishing rod of water, the therapist will track your reactions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations to help manage anxiety. The therapist may ask you to fill the tub with water, and ask you to play on the beach.
While cognitive behavioral therapy aka CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is a therapy that is done by challenging your thinking and belief in water. As you learn to challenge your fear, you will find out how to overcome the thought patterns and beliefs about water that have been scaring you so much. This therapy also teaches you to control negative thoughts about water with much more positive thoughts and messages. It aims to learn new ways of dealing with your fear.
In addition, your therapist will usually advise you to do home remedies by journaling, practicing yoga, or breathing exercises.
Your doctor will also prescribe medication to treat various symptoms of anxiety and panic when you think about and are exposed to water. However, medications are generally not given as a long-term treatment but only at the beginning when you are still having trouble controlling the symptoms.
All of this therapy is done to make you feel more comfortable with water. Therefore, seek professional help to manage water phobia. The reason is, with the help of the right therapist, your phobia can be managed and even overcome until it no longer recurs.
