Thalassophobia is the fear of deep, vast waters, such as the sea or ocean, generally due to its size, unfamiliarity and possible dangers. This phobia can lead to abnormal stress and anxiety when in environments such as beaches or vessels at sea.
Thalassophobia is a type of anxiety disorder that can cause excessive worry, distress or restlessness in situations related to the sea. Furthermore, in more serious cases, it can also cause shortness of breath and chest pain, which may indicate a panic attack.
If thalassophobia is suspected, it is important to consult a psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment, which usually involves psychotherapy, to help the person deal with the situations that cause the symptoms.
Symptoms of Thalassophobia
The main signs and symptoms of thalassophobia are:
- Excessive worry, suffering or intense restlessness every time you see, think about or are at sea;
- Avoid environments or activities that involve the sea, such as going to the beach, diving, boat trips or water sports;
- Not being able to stop thinking about uncomfortable situations when seeing the sea or the possibility of finding it.
These symptoms can be accompanied by a racing heart, difficulty concentrating, excessive sweating and body tremors, for example.
In more serious cases, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness and even fainting may also occur, which may indicate a panic attack. Learn more symptoms of a panic attack.
Often, people with thalassophobia may choose to miss work, classes or other commitments whenever there is a possibility of seeing, thinking about or being at sea. They also tend to move to regions far from beaches and large volumes of water. See more about the main types of phobia.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of thalassophobia is normally made by a psychiatrist who takes into account the characteristics of the symptoms presented, such as the frequency with which they occur, the intensity and situations in which they arise, and the impact of the symptoms on the person’s life.
In addition, sometimes consultation with a psychologist may be recommended to evaluate the person’s behavior and reaction in situations in which symptoms occur to confirm the diagnosis.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
Possible causes
Thalassophobia does not have a specific cause, but it seems to be more common when one has experienced a trauma related to the sea, such as drowning or maritime accidents, or because one has witnessed fear or panic reactions from other people in these situations.
Generally, fear increases as the person approaches the sea, and is not always understood by the person themselves.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of thalassophobia is similar to that of other phobias and generally involves psychotherapy, mainly cognitive behavioral therapy, with the aim of helping the person to better deal with the situations that provoke the symptoms. Understand better how cognitive behavioral therapy is carried out.
Other forms of treatment may involve hypnosis, group therapy and the use of virtual reality technologies, as a way for the person to gradually interact with the stimulus that triggers fear and learn to better evaluate the situations that provoke it.
Furthermore, although it is not common, the use of medications, such as beta blockers or benzodiazepines, can be useful in more intense cases of thalassophobia to avoid psychological symptoms, but this will depend on the psychiatrist’s assessment and recommendation.
