Close your eyes and visualize you are stepping by the side of a beach and getting a splash of water. How do you feel? Isn’t it so refreshing? But some people find it a terror instead of a refreshment. Yes, it is true. For those people, this refreshment is a curse or a penalty. This is called Aquaphobia which means fear of water and those who have this phobia, are called Aqua-phobic. You may find it weirdly bizarre but this exists.
WHAT IS AQUAPHOBIA?
How do you feel when you are around a source of water? Do you feel an unexpected sense of fear when you are around water? Also, do you think that water creatures might harm you and this allows you to have panic attacks? Then it can be said that you may have aquaphobia. Aquaphobia refers to a drastic fear of or phobia of water. This is one kind of anxiety disorder. Those who have aquaphobia are called aqua-phobic. Aquaphobia has diverse phases. Like- some people are only afraid of deep water or strong waves whereas others fear swimming pools and bathtubs. It means for some people, the glimpse of water is enough to be terrified.
Likewise, some are afraid of entering the water whereas others can not even visualize looking at a large body of water. Even the level of fear can reach the ridge that even some can not endure being splashed or sprayed with water. These levels vary from person to person. Now the question is does aquaphobia include the fear of drinking water? The answer is no. Fear of drinking water is called Hydrophobia.
Those who are hydrophobic, face acrophobia and hydrophobia both. These people can not tolerate water, not even for drinking. But this term was once commonly used for Rabies because, in a particular stage of that disease, the person faces compilation swallowing and so fears a drink of water. So aquaphobia and hydrophobia are different. One thing I have to mention is that aquaphobia is one kind of anxiety disorder whereas hydrophobia is a symptom of the disease Rabies.
CAUSES OF AQUAPHOBIA:
The most common explanation behind aquaphobia is a previous negative experience. Just think, suppose you have faced drowning in the water, or you have seen someone die from drowning in the water or you might have been attacked by a water creature. How will you put up with this? For some time you indeed experience this fear but after a certain period again you start enjoying the water. But everyone has a different sentiment of thinking. In this case, these negative experiences may make a person aqua-phobic and it is not absurd.
Another reason can be congenital. It means if your parents have this phobia then genetically you might get this. But one thing you have to accept is that sometimes phobias don’t need any particular reason. It can come to pass without any reason. Like, when we hear the word “Ghost”, automatically the next word that comes into our head is “Fear”. The same goes for phobias too.
SYMPTOMS OF AQUAPHOBIA:
If we think practically then it can be said the more drastic the phobia, the more drastic the symptoms will be. For instance- if your phobia level is like you can’t even imagine the splash of water, then for sure your symptoms will be more drastic. Some common symptoms of this phobia are-
- An unexpected feeling of intense fear when thinking about water
- Anxiety and panic attacks while you are around water
- A persistent, excessive, or absurd fear when exposed to water
- Acknowledging that the fear is so severe that becomes a hazard to mental health
- Ignoring of water
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Chest pain
- Difficulty inhaling and exhaling
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Attempt to run off
HOW TO DEAL WITH THE FEAR OF WATER:
The best way to deal with fear is to confront your fear. At the very beginning, you will find it so difficult and challenging when you confront your fear. You can start by filling a bathtub with water. It sounds nuts but you have to initiate this with simple tasks so that you can face the big sources of water. You are successful if you can accomplish your first task. That means you have passed your first task. Then the next pace should be sitting in the bathtub which you have filled now. For the drastic level of acrophobia, this is a big step for them.
But once you sit down in the water and try to enjoy the moment, you will find yourself less afraid of water. After completing this step, you will find confidence inside of you that you can at least hang around water. Now it comes to the final stage where you can go on a trip beside the river or sea or an island. At this stage, you might feel uncomfortable but not like before. Then unhurriedly enjoy the small waves of water, feel the splash of water in your feet overlooking your fear. You will start enjoying this. So ignoring your fear is not a solution rather facing it is a solution. But some people’s fear is so massive that facing fear is next to unimaginable for them. In that case, getting help from professionals is the best idea.
Water is an innate part of human life and water is the most beautiful source for refreshment. That’s why you will notice that most people choose a waterfront or island to come out from their dull life. But this is so unfortunate for those who are afraid of water. Because of their fear, they miss the most beautiful natural beauty. They will miss the splashes of water, the refreshment of seeing the sea from the waterfront, and the beautiful fountains. So at least enjoy the water just for once and try to cope up with the fear. Maybe this will change your mind and you will start enjoying every second instead of fear.
