It is reasonable to practise some degree of caution around water.
However, having repeated experiences of intense fear related to water can be unbearable.
If you fall into the latter category, then it's possible you may have a fear of water, also known as aquaphobia. You may be thinking you'll never be able to get into the water if you have this fear, but in reality, there are individuals who have overcome their aquaphobia and picked up swimming!
Let's explore more about aquaphobia symptoms and ways to manage this condition.
Are aquaphobia and hydrophobia the same?
One common trait that links aquaphobia and hydrophobia is the fact that they both point to a fear of water. However, there are distinct characteristics we can look at to not get confused between the two.
For starters, hydrophobia occurs among individuals who are at the late stage of rabies infection and is more common if one has contracted furious rabies. Furious rabies is a type of rabies characterised by hydrophobia and hallucinations related to encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain tissues.
Due to this inflammation, the affected individual experiences painful and involuntary spasms in the throat when drinking or thinking about water. Since hydrophobia develops as a result of the physical symptoms related to rabies, this type of fear is regarded as a physiological condition.
This is unlike aquaphobia, a psychological condition that involves an extreme fear of or aversion to water. More specifically, it is an anxiety disorder under the category of specific phobias which can develop at any stage of one's life. Therefore, it is not the result of physical symptoms but rather linked to feelings of fear and anxiety that may be alleviated with professional intervention.
Here's an overview of the differences between aquaphobia and hydrophobia:
| Hydrophobia | Aquaphobia |
|---|---|
| Occurs at the late stage of rabies infection | May occur at any stage of one's life, known to affect children more than adults |
| Recognised as a physiological condition due to rabies symptoms | Medically known as one of the anxiety disorders |
| Characterised by involuntary muscle spasms in the throat when drinking or thinking of water | Relating to an extreme fear of or aversion to water |
| An individual with this condition fears water due to the spasms triggered by the taste, sight or sound of water. | An individual with this condition may fear various experiences related to water, such as showering, washing the dishes or drinking liquids. |
Learning with a trusted swimming instructor can help you manage the stress related to aquaphobia symptoms, and reap the benefits of swimming.
What are the common aquaphobia symptoms?
The symptoms of aquaphobia vary from individual to individual. For instance, a person who experiences fear when stepping into the shower may not experience the same intensity of stress as another who is standing next to a swimming pool.
For the person experiencing this specific phobia of water, they will likely experience anxiety, fear or panic when exposed to water. Symptoms may occur when they are physically near to or are in contact with bodies of water (like swimming), consume liquids, watch TV shows that display water or even when they think about water.
Common aquaphobia symptoms that happen in the event of water exposure include:
- Rapid breathing and heart rate
- Tightness in the chest or throat
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Chills
- Shaking or trembling
- Disorientation or dizziness
- Panic attacks
- Intense feeling of terror
As aquaphobia affects children more than adults, take note of the symptoms of anxiety or fear of water among children that may be expressed differently. Young children may cry, throw tantrums, or refuse to go to the swimming pool. No matter how many swimming strokes you may want your child to learn, they may also refuse to speak on the topic of water.
Some children may also physically cling to their parents or other caregivers when thinking about water.
It will be tough for a person wanting to learn to swim to do so if they are always faced with the intense stress that aquaphobia brings. Nevertheless, there are swimming coaches and professionals who can support you if you want to learn at the best places for swimming in 2023.
What is the root of aquaphobia?
The exact cause of aquaphobia remains unknown, but we can observe the lives of people living with the condition to better understand the symptoms.
For instance, individuals who have been around the swimming pool when they were younger may have developed aquaphobia due to traumatic events centred around water. This could have been a personal near-drowning experience, witnessing another person drowning (also known as vicarious trauma) or sustaining an injury when practising swimming strokes.
It's also been found that individuals who have a family history of aquaphobia are at a higher risk of developing this anxiety disorder and may be more susceptible to stress around water-related events. Interestingly, it's also possible to develop aquaphobia symptoms from watching or hearing negative stories about water.
These individuals may develop fear from hearing scary recounts about or watching terrifying incidents related to water through TV shows.
Studies suggest that individuals who develop such a specific phobia, such as aquaphobia, have likely associated water with danger due to personal experiences around water that have induced fear, anxiety or intense stress. It's also been said that watching others' aversive reactions to water may cause the individual observing to internalise this fear as their own and adopt a similar reaction to water.
Find a professional swim teacher to help your child overcome their fears in swimming class for baby in KL on Superprof.
How do I get rid of my fear of water?
Perhaps you have heard about techniques like deep breathing and relaxation to manage the phobia of water.
What if these techniques just aren't working for you no matter how hard you've tried?
You may feel it's impossible to learn to swim if you have a fear of water. Nonetheless, there are tremendous benefits of swimming and cool swimming styles that you should consider before giving up on the idea! Let's get into the proven ways to manage aquaphobia.
Spend time understanding your fear
Whether you choose to journal your feelings in a notebook or talk about what is causing you stress with a trusted loved one, getting to know the fear is the first step in overcoming it. Begin by acknowledging this fear of water and list down your aquaphobia symptoms. It's worth noting where and when these symptoms happen, as well as your thoughts and behaviours during these events.
Seek professional support
You can better understand your fear and manage symptoms by seeking support from professionals who are trained to help those dealing with aquaphobia. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are among the top approaches for managing aquaphobia that guide individuals in learning helpful ways to change their perspectives and reactions towards triggering situations.
Enrol in swimming lessons
You may find it funny that we are talking about the benefits of swimming now, however, there are swimming coaches and other qualified professionals who have successfully helped their students overcome aquaphobia! For example, aquatic therapy can teach you essential water safety skills while allowing others to provide encouragement and reassurance when you are in the water.
By contributing your time and energy towards understanding your fear and seeking help from a trusted professional, only then can you figure out whether techniques like deep breathing or meditation will work for you. Every individual's growth curve is different, but we are certain you will build confidence with the right support!
Can people with aquaphobia learn to swim?
Swimming can be particularly challenging for those who are managing their phobia of water. Nonetheless, spending time at the swimming pool and picking up the various swimming strokes will go a long way in helping a person manage their aquaphobia symptoms. At the same time, this person can also experience the rewarding benefits of swimming!
If you do want to learn to swim and are still working through your aquaphobia symptoms, you should learn from a trusted swimming coach who is encouraging and knowledgeable in the area.
Learn to overcome your phobia by taking swimming lessons on Superprof.
Connect with swimming instructors on Superprof who have received national accreditations and worked with students of all ages, or even those who have competed in international swimming tournaments. Superprof is a highly recommended platform for learners who want to get to know their teachers before their very first lesson and are seeking quality, personalised lessons at affordable prices.
To navigate this platform, ensure that you input "Swimming" into the search engine of the Superprof Tutors page and specify whether you would like to have face-to-face or online lessons. In other words, you can choose to meet with your instructor at your local swimming pool or take a lesson from home. Did you know you can learn with swimming instructors from various parts of the world through Superprof?
Finding someone who can help you learn to enjoy the water is necessary for managing your aquaphobia, so do take some time to read through your swimming instructor's profile on Superprof. This should give you some insight into your instructor's ability to support you as well as how their lessons are conducted. Pay attention to certified reviews from students who are currently taking lessons from the instructor!
By signing up as a student, you can even get your first swimming lesson for free! Discover adult swim classes with amazing swim teachers on Superprof!
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