Thalassophobia: Do You Fear the Deep Ocean?

While the ocean inspires countless poems, songs, and literary works for some, it represents a terrifying abyss for others, ready to engulf anyone who ventures too close. These individuals suffer from thalassophobia, an overwhelming fear of vast, deep waters.

"Unlike aquaphobia, which can be triggered by even small amounts of water, thalassophobia is specifically tied to large bodies of water," explains Dr. Patricia Celan, a psychiatry resident at Dalhousie University in Canada, via email.

Individuals with this condition may feel comfortable swimming in a local pool but would never consider venturing into the Gulf of Mexico. Thalassophobia, however, is extremely uncommon. "While specific demographic data is lacking, it is estimated that tens of thousands of people globally experience this condition," Celan notes. This is far fewer than aquaphobia, which impacts 2 to 3 percent of the global population (140 to 210 million), as reported in a study in Frontiers in Psychology.

For those who suffer from thalassophobia, the fear can be overwhelming. Below, we explore its causes, symptoms, and potential treatments.

Why Do People Develop Thalassophobia?

This fear of deep water can stem from personal experiences, like nearly drowning or being caught in a strong current. Others may develop it through witnessing others' fears or traumatic ocean-related incidents. Media coverage of drownings, boating accidents, or shark attacks can also contribute. Additionally, the film "Jaws," which depicts a shark terrorizing a coastal town, has left many too frightened to swim in the ocean.

Phobias can also have a genetic link, meaning if a family member has thalassophobia, you are more prone to developing it, particularly if you were raised in close proximity to them.

"From an evolutionary standpoint, it's logical that humans would develop a fear of deep water due to the inherent dangers it poses," explains Dr. Martin Antony, a psychology professor at Ryerson University in Toronto and co-author of "The Anti-Anxiety Workbook." "We are naturally predisposed to fear certain situations, like heights, deep water, or snakes, more easily than others, such as flowers or teddy bears."

He points out that the term thalassophobia "is not found in any official diagnostic manuals. Except for a few cases like agoraphobia or claustrophobia, experts rarely use the numerous Greek and Latin phobia names that circulate in the media."

Signs and Symptoms of Thalassophobia

Symptoms of thalassophobia, similar to other phobias, can be intense. "Individuals with thalassophobia experience overwhelming anxiety when confronted with the ocean or other vast water bodies, whether in person, from afar, or even in images," Celan explains. "This anxiety disrupts their daily functioning and may trigger panic attacks. They often struggle with sleep and endure lingering distress after exposure." She notes that avoiding the ocean altogether is a hallmark of genuine thalassophobia, with many also steering clear of smaller water sources.

When faced with deep water, those with thalassophobia may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms, which are common across various phobias:

These physical symptoms may be accompanied by psychological reactions, including:

The impact of exposure can linger long after the event has passed. "Their anxiety disrupts daily functioning and may lead to panic attacks," Celan states. "They often struggle with sleep and endure ongoing distress following exposure."

Treating Thalassophobia

Managing thalassophobia might seem simple by avoiding large water bodies, but this isn't feasible for everyone. "For individuals like swimmers, fishermen, or cruise ship workers, a fear of water can create significant challenges," Antony notes.

Thankfully, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offers various techniques to help reshape a person's thought processes.

"CBT helps replace negative ocean-related thoughts with more realistic ones and curbs behaviors stemming from those fears," Celan explains. "Exposure therapy is often the most effective treatment for phobias. Gradually introducing images, videos, and eventually in-person proximity to the ocean, under the guidance of a mental health professional, can reduce the fear associated with it."