If going to the sea is not a source of relaxation for you, but of pure terror, and even looking at the images of the ocean literally gives you goosebumps, it could be Thalassophobia, or the obsessive and uncontrollable fear of the sea. More generally pertaining to deep water, including, for example, that of a lake in the Lifeguard course.

Because it is precisely the depth of the water that causes terror, as it is closely linked to the fear of the unknown, of letting go and losing control. It can occur when you are near the sea or a lake, when you go to the beach, when traveling by boat, and in the most serious cases,  explains MedicalNewsToday , even just thinking about it.



Thalassophobia: causes

The causes of Thalassophobia can be different, both due to water-related trauma (a drowning escape experience, for example) and seeing dangerous events that took place at sea. Causes that the person suffering is not always aware of, especially if they are from early childhood,  explains MedicalNewsToday 

Psych Central  also highlights genetic causes and family dynamics, giving the example of a child raised by a parent who is very afraid of the sea, and who perceives anxiety, in turn, manifests it.

Thalassophobia: symptoms If you experience tremors, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, anxiety, palpitations, panic attacks, possibly accompanied by fainting when going out to sea or approaching a deep body of water, it could be Thalassophobia. In fact, these are some of the most common symptoms.

Thalassophobia: how to cure

If you suspect that you suffer from Thalassophobia, the best thing to do is to count on a specialist who can advise you in the best possible way and assess whether a possible therapeutic path is necessary to overcome the phobia.

Thalassophobia and hydrophobia: are they the same thing?

The answer is no. Thalassophobia and hydrophobia are not synonymous, although in both cases they are water-related phobias. But if the first, as we have seen, concerns the obsessive fear of the sea and its depth, hydrophobia,  explains PsicologItaliani , – designates the fear of water or swimming -. Phobia quite common in the moderate form, less frequent in the pathological form, referring to the aversion to water itself, which it would be more correct to call with the term aquaphobia.



Because it is precisely the depth of the water that causes terror, as it is closely linked to the fear of the unknown, of letting go and losing control. It can occur when you are near the sea or a lake, when you go to the beach, when traveling by boat, and in the most serious cases,  explains MedicalNewsToday , even just thinking about it Lifeguard training miami usa.