People are afraid of many things, but when you’re scared of the sea, it can be difficult for others to understand. Maybe you had a traumatic experience when you were a child, and you nearly drowned or came across a frightening sea creature. Or, perhaps you went on a boat and got sea-sick at some point in your life. Whatever the case may be, Thalassophobia can be embarrassing and hard to explain, just like any other phobia. Many things could contribute to the aversion, but the dread could also have no definite cause. Someone with Thalassophobia may not even know why they’re terrified of the sea; they are.
How do I know if I have Thalassophobia?
If you have Thalassophobia, you will know it, even if you are just now coming across the name. You’ll know because you’ll be scared every time you are met with a situation where you’ll have to be near the sea. Perhaps, a friend invites you to swim in the sea with them, and you are met with sheer terror and panic even thinking about entering the water that’ll get deeper and darker as you move into it. It’s possible that also seeing a photo of the sea makes you feel fear. There’s nothing wrong with you if you have Thalassophobia. Phobias are not a character flaw, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of if you have this condition.
I’m ashamed of my fear.
There are some phobias that other people might not understand. Perhaps you were made fun of as a child because you didn’t want to go into the ocean. The other children were playing near the shore collecting seawater for their sand castles, but you couldn’t bring yourself to put your toe in the sea. Kids can be brutal, and bullying is a real phenomenon. Maybe you were mocked for not being able to swim. If you were afraid of the sea as a child, it’s understandable why you wouldn’t have an interest in swimming. You don’t need to feel ashamed for something that legitimately scares you.
When that fear carries on into adulthood
Thalassophobia is a condition that is entirely treatable. If you don’t get treatment for it as a child, your symptoms will persist into your adult life. When you’re afraid of the sea, you may avoid things like summer vacations with your family or a fun outing to the beach. Maybe you’re invited on a cruise, and you decline, but don’t feel comfortable disclosing the answer why you’re not attending. Remember, don’t punish yourself because you can’t seem to figure out the source of your fear of the sea. You can work with a therapist to get to the bottom of your phobia. Shaming yourself about the fear or hiding it from others isn’t going to make it go away. It’s time to explore why the sea frightens you, and address the fear head-on. You can do this with a counselor in your local area or online counseling.
Online counseling
When you have a phobia, naturally you’re scared of that thing, but you also be may fearful to explore the origin of the fear. You may not know why you have Thalassophobia, but it is essential to find out more about your anxiety with a licensed mental health professional. Maybe your phobia is impacting your relationship with your partner. There is a solution.Thalassophobia can be treated, but first, you have to admit it to yourself that something isn’t right and that you experience this phobia. Whether you see a therapist online or in your local area, they can help you work through your fears so that they no longer impact your life, your relationships, or your opportunities.
This is a featured post by site sponsor Better Help.
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