Thalassophobia is a fear of the sea . People with Thalassophobia experience a sudden onset of anxiety when exposed to triggering stimuli, which can include deep pools, the ocean, or lakes.

Everyone experiences Thalassophobia differently. Some people may panic when swimming in deep water, being on a boat, or no longer being able to touch the bottom of a pool. Others are scared just thinking about the ocean or looking at pictures of deep water with lifeguard training .

Definition

Thalassophobia, often called “fear of the ocean,” is a specific phobia that involves intense fear of deep bodies of water. Thalassophobia is a specific phobia and is therefore classified as an anxiety disorder in   the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders   (DSM-5).

People with specific phobias experience intense fear, triggered by a specific stimulus, that is disproportionate to the situation and causes significant distress or impairment.

When left untreated, Thalassophobia can greatly limit a person's life. A person with Thalassophobia may experience more anxiety and stop engaging in previously enjoyed activities, such as going to the beach with friends and family, boating, swimming, watching certain movies, and more.



Symptoms

Thalassophobia shares symptoms with other specific phobias such as  claustrophobia  . The defining feature of Thalassophobia, compared to other specific phobias and anxiety disorders, is that these symptoms are triggered by exposure to deep bodies of water.

  • Symptoms of Thalassophobia can include:
  • Sudden onset of anxiety or fear
  • shaking and shaking
  • sweating
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
  • Difficulty breathing, including hyperventilation
  • Chest pain
  • Fear of losing control or dying

Thalassophobia Triggers

Thalassophobia triggers can include:

  • ocean
  • Pools
  • lakes
  • boat trips
  • Swimming
  • deep water pictures
  • Not being able to touch the bottom when in the water
  • Deep water-themed movies like  Shark

Compared to many other specific phobias, Thalassophobia can be dangerous. Drowning is a risk when a panic response occurs in deep water.

It may be helpful to remember that the danger here is your reaction to panic, not the water itself. If you know you have untreated Thalassophobia, it may also help to always swim with someone else or in the presence of a lifeguard.

Diagnosis

Specific phobias, such as Thalassophobia, may be diagnosed by your primary care provider or by a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. Diagnosis usually involves some questions about the specific fear, avoidance behaviors, persistence of fear, and any life limitations that resulted from the fear.

To meet the DSM-5 criteria for a specific phobia, a person must demonstrate:

  • Irrational, excessive or disproportionate fear of a specific stimulus  ; In the case of Thalassophobia, it would be the fear of deep water
  • Consistent and immediate anxiety response  when exposed to feared stimuli (deep water)
  • Avoiding the feared stimuli  (deep water)
  • Persistence of fear  for at least six months
  • Clinically significant distress or impairment  of  life  due to anxiety and avoidance behaviors

In previous editions of the DSM, the person also needed to demonstrate that their fear was irrational or disproportionate to the situation.

As of 2013, the person no longer needs to understand that their fear is irrational. Therefore, someone with an intense fear of deep water may think their reaction is justified and sensible, even if it limits life's activities or causes significant suffering.



Causes

The causes of specific phobias, including Thalassophobia, are not fully understood and may vary from case to case. Specific phobias such as Thalassophobia are thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors with Lifeguard training miami usa.