Aquaphobia Facts, Causes and Symptoms

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​AQUAPHOBIA or waterphobia, is an abnormal, persistent fear of water.  The fear is beyond a person's control, and may interfere with daily life.  People suffer from it even though they may realize that a pool, ocean, or even a bathtub poses no imminent threat.  People who can calmly execute survival swimming skills have a conventional "fear," and respect for the water. However when aquaphobia is present, fear has morphed into a negative, counterproductive influence.

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Aquaphobia Reduces Overall Well-being and Puts Limits on Life Experiences

​Fear of water causes isolation, frustration and depression.  It erodes self-esteem, strains relationships, and in extreme cases, aquaphobia can even compromise personal hygiene.  It limits recreational, fitness and travel choices that aquatics can provide to adults and their children.  Fear of water can even limit job opportunities that require exposure to water - such as jobs with the military and airline cabin crews, engineering, lab workers, caretaker, hotel or camp jobs.

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Affects a Diverse Group of Almost Half of Americans

​Aquaphobia crosses all boundaries of age, gender, race, education, life experience, fitness and income.

• ​46% fear the deep end of a pool.*
• 32% fear putting their head under water.*
• 68% are afraid of deep, open water.*
• 46% report being afraid of drowning.>

* Gallup, 1998;  > Center for Disease Control
Many adults don't take lessons due to fear.  Only 2% of adults planned to take swim lessons in summer 2014, yet 80% of drownings in America are adults. 

​Four Key Causes of
Fear of Water

​SUBCONSCIOUS:  About half experience fear on a subconscious level.  They're either born with it, or cannot remember why.
NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE:  Some may have a memory of being pushed or falling into water, or experiencing a near-drowning.  They may have witnessed a drowning or near-drowning.
LEARNED FEAR:  Phobic caregivers are likely to pass fear to a child.  Stories or news reports can also "teach" fear of water.
LACK OF EXPOSURE:  Some fear water, and rightly so,  because they never learned to swim.  Some may have grown up landlocked, others may have had financial, cultural or medical reasons for their lack of water exposure.

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Aquaphobia Symptoms

Emotional Symptoms

• Panic attack
• Anxiety
• Embarrassment
• Mental confusion; difficulty listening, focusing, talking or processing thoughts
• Flashbacks or vivid thoughts of danger around water or drowning
• Sufferers often hide their fear from family and friends

Aquaphobia sufferers find ways to avoid water, rather than face embarrassment or distress. Their symptoms vary depending on the severity of the fear.

Physical Symptoms

• Hyperventilation
• Increased heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Dizziness or fainting
• Excessive sweating
• Extremely dry mouth or trouble swallowing
• Shaking or trembling
• Crying
• Nausea, upset stomach

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