Thalassophobia: Fear of the Ocean, Deep Water & Sea Creatures

What Is the Fear of the Ocean Called?

The fear of the ocean is commonly known as thalassophobia. Thalassophobia is a type of anxiety or specific phobia involving deep water, the sea, the ocean, or what may be hidden beneath the surface. Some people experience fear, dread or panic simply from seeing deep dark water, while others feel anxious about sea creatures, underwater depths or not being able to see the bottom.

This can have a severe impact on the lives of those who suffer from this fear. Intense fear of the sea, ocean or other large bodies of water such as lakes and rivers can have a huge impact. If you have this phobia you may feel anxious if you are near the ocean, driving past the coast, in an aircraft going across the ocean or even just seeing images of the ocean or other large bodies of water on television or other sources.

People often search for this fear using terms such as:

• ocean phobia
• fear of the sea
• fear of deep water
• fear of the ocean
• sea phobia

Although these phrases all describe similar fears, thalassophobia usually refers specifically to an intense fear of large bodies of deep water such as oceans or seas.

For some people, the fear may be mild discomfort, while for others it can trigger severe anxiety symptoms including panic attacks, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, nausea or avoidance of beaches, boats and swimming.

In some cases, people may also experience megalohydrothalassophobia, which is the fear of large objects or creatures beneath the water, such as enormous ships, underwater statues, whales or deep sea creatures.

Symptoms of Thalassophobia

Symptoms of thalassophobia can range from mild to severe anxiety and panic. Some people feel particularly nervous near deep water, other people may experience intense fear just from seeing a photograph or a movie showing the ocean.

Common symptoms of ocean phobia may include:

• Nausea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shaking or trembling
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Panic attacks
• Avoidance of the sea or deep water
• Anxiety about sea creatures
• Fear of dark water
• Fear of drowning

How Severe Can Ocean Phobia Become?

This problem may be very difficult and may affect your life significantly or it can be quite mild, causing only a little anxiety and fear that can be tolerated. If you have ocean phobia quite severely it may be that going out on a ship, ocean liner or boat is simply impossible for you to do.

Ocean phobia is quite complex as there are many varying elements for the phobia which manifests differently for people, such as fear of drowning, fear of the mysteries under the water; the darkness, the creatures in the sea. For many, simply the sheer vastness of the ocean is terrifying.

What Causes Thalassophobia?

It may originate from a bad memory or an incident that happened in the past. It could even be caused by a fictional event such as a movie or tv show that had a profound effect on you. Sometimes there is no known cause. Some people are more prone to fears and phobias and anxieties about perceived risks.

With ocean phobia there is of course an instinctive reaction occurring, which is part of our survival instinct kicking in because there is potential danger. Although the fear of the ocean is partly linked to our natural survival instinct, the anxious response can sometimes become exaggerated and occur even when there is little or no real danger. Some people with ocean phobia also have a relative with this phobia. Perhaps some of the fearful reactions were subconsciously picked up in childhood.

Possible Causes of Ocean Phobia:

What is Megalohydrothalassophobia?

A related phobia and one many people who have thalassophobia also suffer with is megalohydrothalassophobia. This can be a big part of ocean phobia for many people. In this case, looking at an ocean might be tolerable, but swimming in the sea would be out of the question because this phobia – megalohydrothalassophobia is fear of creatures such as fish, sharks, whales and jellyfish that live in the sea. It also includes any other large items such as ships or just dark under water emptiness.

What is the Difference Between Thalassophobia & Megalophobia?

Megalophobia is simply the fear of large things. Thalassophobia is the fear of large bodies of water. The vastness of the ocean is a significant element of the problem for someone who is afraid of the ocean. This may be one of the defining elements of a persons’ ocean phobia. Megalophobia of course can relate to other large creatures or structures unrelated to the ocean.

Can Thalassophobia Be Treated?

Many people have a fear of something and automatically presume it to be a phobia. Mild phobias, though are probably just “fears” as they usually do not stop you doing ordinary activities. A phobia often has a huge impact on people’s lives. Phobias can be improved with work and persistence.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Phobia

Treatments For Ocean Phobia

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Gradual desensitization
• Hypnotherapy
• Relaxation/ Meditation
• Journaling
• Medication
• Support groups

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Ocean Phobia

With CBT the focus is on what logical Steps can you take to help yourself? You will probably work on a desensitization program where you slowly overcome your fear by facing it. At first it might be a picture of the sea, eventually you may be able to go out on a ferry, ship or boat. This process can be taken at a pace that works for you without being too overwhelmed with fear or anxiety.

Gradual Desensitization for Ocean Phobia

You can do gradual desensitization on your own or with a friend or loved one to support you. You could start out by looking at photographs or television programs that involve the ocean, sea or large lakes and rivers. You can use calming breathing techniques to help you manage your anxiety as you try ever more challenging scenarios, eventually doing something that once felt impossible for you. It is important to take it slow. With time and patience your anxiety may reduce at least to a more manageable level.

Self Hypnosis for Ocean Phobia

The way hypnosis works is by inputting positive helpful ideas (suggestions) to help you change those automatic reactions. Phobias are in a sense a habit reaction that you have learned. Hypnosis is all about changing automatic habit responses to helpful, confident and calm feelings instead. It is important to use a hypnosis audio on a regular basis. Alternatively you could see a hypnotherapist in person, this should take 4 +sessions in most cases.

Relaxation or Meditation for Ocean Phobia

When you have a phobic reaction and you experience all those anxious feelings and possibly panic attacks, what is happening is that the stress response is extremely high. Lowering you natural stress and anxiety level to a lower baseline level can be helpful to some people as it makes it easier to calm down again if you get upset. You could learn meditation or use an audio recording. You could practice breathing exercises or chanting silently in your mind to calm yourself. These methods may not be overnight cures but they will help longer term if you stick at it.

Journaling for Ocean Phobia

Journaling can be helpful. The process of journaling and writing out your thoughts, insights, feelings can help you to understand the way your mind works, what helps you and what triggers you. Getting to understand your reactions better is also a path to a more mindful way of being. Being mindful will help you to stop just reacting thoughtlessly to the constant thoughts flowing though your mind, instead you step back and begin to react calmly and in a more positive way.

Medication for Ocean Phobia

Medication can help too. If you feel this is what you need, see your doctor and explain the situation. They may do a formal diagnosis and perhaps give you some medication to help in specific situations you might have coming up.

Support Groups for Ocean Phobia

Perhaps you feel that talking about this problem with other people who are having similar experiences may be helpful to you. Perhaps you can learn from others, ways of managing the phobia. Look out for a support groups either in person or on the internet or telephone. Alternatively you could talk one to one with someone such as a psychotherapist or counsellor. click here to go to a website where you can sign up for various support groups.

What is a Phobia & How is it Different from Fear?

A phobia is a reaction to a perceived danger that is out of proportion to any real risk or danger. The reaction is much more developed and intense than a simple fear response. With fear reactions, once you realize everything is okay, you can calm yourself down fairly quickly. That is not so easy with a phobia as the reaction tends to be stronger. To read more about phobias in general click here to go to the NHS website

With a phobia the response is less logical and takes longer to control. Some of the anxiety caused by a phobic reaction is fueled by your imagination in response to the given trigger, in this case the ocean, the sea, lakes or rivers. If you have a phobia of the ocean (or thalassophobia) and you find yourself in a situation where to are very near to a large body of water you may experience intense anxiety and perhaps even panic attacks. The feeling of anxiety with phobias is called the Fight or Flight Response this is our normal response to immediate danger but in the case of phobias the reaction is out of proportion to the actual danger.

Avoidance and Phobias

Many people with a phobia try to avoid situations where they are facing their fear because naturally they do not want to feel those terrible feelings of anxiety and intense fear. However, avoiding the things that frighten us to this extent actually makes it worse. You may feel anxious at the very thought of going near the ocean or a large lake and it feels like it makes sense to avoid it at all costs. Facing it though, will help in the long term.

How Does it Feel to Have a Phobic Reaction?

You may feel suddenly anxious with a feeling of absolute terror and dread. There are many reactions you may have, such as the following:

• Feeling of dread
• Severe anxiety
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Feel very hot or cold
• Trembling
• Physically tense
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling out of control
• Feeling detached

Doctors and psychiatrists can diagnose a phobia if you choose to take that route. Alternatively, you may choose to self diagnose your phobia, as you will know if you have an intense fear, if that fear is persistent, intense and out of proportion to the actual danger of the situation. If that is the case and it is a lasting issue that does not resolve itself, maybe you have this phobia, perhaps ask your doctor to confirm.

Self Hypnosis Downloads for Ocean Phobia and Fear of Water

Self hypnosis works by influencing the subconscious mind with positive suggestions and ideas. This influence is happening all the time as we go about our lives, we are influenced by television, by our memories and thoughts, as well as by things people say to us. Choosing to influence yourself in a positive way using self hypnosis can make changes happen in your reactions, behaviors and feelings. We have a self hypnosis title called “Overcome Fear of Water” you can read more about it here.

This self hypnosis audio is designed to help you feel comfortable near water, specifically the sea on a beach. In addition it focuses on letting go of the past, not being defined by the past and changing as a person. We also have a general title called overcome fear, and a stress reduction title that can help too. Our Ocean Phobia Hypnosis is available to preorder here: Overcome Ocean Phobia

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