Selachophobia: Understanding the Fear of Sharks

Selachophobia (from Greek selachos = shark) is the specific phobia of sharks, not celery. The original article contained an error.

Characteristics

• Intense, irrational fear of sharks, often triggered by images, videos, or thoughts of sharks.
• May cause panic attacks, avoidance of oceans, aquariums, or even baths.
• Physical symptoms: tachycardia, sweating, trembling, dyspnea, nausea.

Related Phobias

• Galeophobia — also fear of sharks (synonym).
• Thalassophobia — fear of deep water/ocean (often includes sharks).
• Fear of celery — sometimes called apiumphobia (from Latin apium = celery), but not a widely recognized clinical term.

Treatment

Same as other specific phobias: CBT with exposure therapy (virtual reality, imaginal, in vivo), relaxation training, sometimes SSRIs for comorbid anxiety. Many with selachophobia function well by simply avoiding shark-related stimuli.