Italian
Thalassophobia is not just a fear of water, as it involves a wide range of other characteristic aspects of the sea: depth, unpredictability, and the sense of the unknown. This phobia can be a major limitation and deeply influence the life of those who suffer from it. Like many other phobias, however, it can be faced and one can try to overcome it.
It is said that the sea and the sun are powerful natural antidepressants: spending a few days immersed in a marine environment can help improve mood. However, those who suffer from anxiety or depression may have some difficulty fully enjoying the benefits of the sea. Crowded places and heat could indeed cause discomfort and distress, worsening anxiety or possible depression symptoms. For some, the sea may represent an insurmountable fear: we are talking about those who suffer from thalassophobia, an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense, persistent, and irrational fear of the sea or deep waters.
The term thalassophobia derives from the combination of the Greek words thalassa, meaning sea, and phobos, meaning fear, and refers to a psychological condition characterized by the presence of an intense and irrational fear of the sea or bodies of water. People suffering from thalassophobia experience an overwhelming sense of fear and distress at the thought of being in open sea, swimming in deep waters, or, in more severe cases, looking at images associated with the sea.
Not to be confused with aquaphobia (which represents a generalized fear of water) or with hydrophobia (an aversion to liquids caused by rabies), this disorder can trigger intense feelings of discomfort, apprehension, and fear in those called upon to bathe, swim far offshore where the bottom is not visible, sail, or find themselves in deep waters, be they sea, pool, or lake. Thalassophobics may experience anxiety, distress, and panic attacks in the proximity of the sea or even just at the thought of it.
Thalassophobia: causes and treatment
The causes of thalassophobia are multiple: traumatic experiences, genetic predisposition, social conditioning… This phobia can manifest with symptoms such as anxiety, excessive sweating, tachycardia, palpitations, dizziness, and nausea, when close to deep waters. This fear can generate discomfort and prevent those who suffer from it from fully enjoying the sea and its benefits. However, overcoming the fear of the sea is possible with the support of psychotherapy.
The first step undoubtedly involves recognizing this phobia. In this sense, it is advisable to seek help from specialized professionals, who can offer their support in managing the phobia, in order to regain familiarity with water. “Psychotherapy can be very helpful in the treatment of thalassophobia. In particular, one of the most effective and widely used approaches to address thalassophobia is cognitive-behavioral therapy, through which the patient can learn to restructure dysfunctional beliefs regarding the sea and feared aquatic situations. Specific approaches, such as gradual exposure, can help the individual confront the feared situations and gradually regain familiarity with the sea. This process of progressive exposure allows the brain to become accustomed to anxious stimuli, gradually reducing the phobic response. With the right support and appropriate therapeutic approach, it is possible to learn to manage, and why not, overcome thalassophobia and be able to once again appreciate the great benefits that the sea can provide to our body and mind,” explains Dr. Valeria Fiorenza Perris, Psychotherapist and Clinical Director of the online psychology service Unobravo.
