What are some facts about thalassophobia?
Where aquaphobia involves a fear of water itself, thalassophobia centers on bodies of water that seem vast, dark, deep, and dangerous. People are not afraid of the water so much as they are afraid of what lurks beneath its surface. The term thalassophobia steps from the Greek thalassa (“the sea”) and phobos (“fear”).
How bad is your thalassophobia?
Thalassophobia can negatively affect your quality of life. Since a phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, thalassophobia symptoms are the same as those commonly found in anxiety. When you think of the ocean, you may experience: agitation and restlessness, especially in day-to-day life.
Is it pitch black in the ocean?
The midnight zone is a depth of the ocean that is completely pitch black. This means that light does not penetrate to these waters, and that if you are interested in getting to the bottom of these depths, you will need tons of lights in order to see anything, let alone everything.
What is the fear of open water called?
The word “thalassophobia” refers to a fear of the ocean or other large, deep bodies of water. A person with thalassophobia may be afraid of the vastness or emptiness of the ocean, the sea creatures in the water, or both.
What are the causes of Thalassophobia?
Thalassophobia could also be caused by traumatic events. A childhood near-drowning experience, witnessing a shark attack, never learning to swim, or even being told scary stories of the ocean are just a few examples of possible events that could trigger thalassophobia.
What is the fear of water?
Aquaphobia, or fear of water, is a fairly common phobia. Like all phobias, it may vary dramatically in severity from person to person. Some people are only afraid of deep water or strong waves, while others fear swimming pools and bathtubs.
Why do people get Thalassophobia?
Is the ocean scary at night?
In a press conference, lead researcher Karl Oswald announced that his team had just finished compiling and parsing mountains of data, and that all scientists agreed that the ocean is “really scary at night.” “A study like this is unheard of,” continued Oswald.
Why is Submechanophobia scary?
Why is Submechanophobia scary? Submechanphobia is the fear of water submerged man made objects. The negative feelings associated with the irrational thoughts behind submechanophobia make it appear scary.
What is Thalassophobia (fear of the ocean)?
Definition Thalassophobia, often called “fear of the ocean,” is a specific phobia involving intense fear of deep bodies of water. Thalassophobia is a specific phobia and is therefore classified as an anxiety disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 1
How many people have Thalassophobia?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), phobias are the most common type of mental illness in the United States. While specific phobias themselves are quite common among the general population, it is unknown how many people have thalassophobia. Specific phobias tend to be one of five different types:
Is Thalassophobia genetic or evolutionary?
While genetic and evolutionary factors may play a role in the onset of specific phobias such as thalassophobia, there are steps people may take to help prevent such fears from developing.
How can I minimize the risk of Thalassophobia?
Some steps you can take to minimize the risk of developing thalassophobia include: Get help early: If you suspect you might be developing a severe fear of deep or open water, look for ways to deal with your anxiety as soon as possible. This might involve talking to a mental health professional about what you can do to ease your fears.