Aquaphobia: Understanding the Fear of Swimming - Symptoms & Causes

The fear of swimming is called aquaphobia. It is a specific phobia, which is an intense fear of a particular object or situation. Aquaphobia can range from a mild fear of being in water to a severe fear that prevents a person from even getting close to water. Symptoms of aquaphobia can include feeling anxious or panicky, sweating, shaking, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy or faint, and avoiding water. Aquaphobia can be caused by a traumatic experience in water, such as nearly drowning, or it can develop for no apparent reason. Treatment for aquaphobia typically involves exposure therapy, in which a person is gradually exposed to the thing they fear in a safe and controlled environment.