Hydrophobia, which causes people to fear water and limits their social life, is a disease that absolutely needs to be treated. Although hydrophobia is commonly known as the fear of swimming, it is not limited to this. In rare cases, there are also people who are afraid of taking a shower, running the faucet or even drinking water. These situations occur because of the thoughts that the individual has in his/her own mind and that have no share of reality.
Hydrophobia is used in two different fields. These are chemistry and psychology. Even though the origin of the word is chemistry, it is generally more common in psychology. In the field of chemistry, it is expressed as a molecule's ability to avoid water. In the field of psychology, it describes the individual's connection with water. Hydrophobia used in psychology means an individual's fear of water.
Hydrophobia is a type of fear that the individual creates in his/her brain and makes himself/herself believe. We have to give some reactions to the events in life. The variety of reactions varies according to the meanings attached to the events. Therefore, what is called learned reaction and fear is included in our lives.
The main causes of fear of water are difficulty breathing, not getting out of the water, swallowing water and drowning thoughts. In the thoughts of individuals with this disease, drowning in water is an easy and certain event. Another thought is that the possibility of survival is quite low. Being caught up in these thoughts causes the individual to be afraid and prevents them from even coming into contact with water.
What are the Symptoms of Hydrophobia?
Individuals who experience this mental state are extremely afraid of water and do not want to come into contact with water. This fear experienced by the individual is too much. In some individuals, the fear of water reaches different dimensions.
Individuals' fear of water is generally caused by concerns of drowning, not being able to get out of the water and swallowing water. For these reasons, people experience events such as not being able to enter the water. Individuals stay away from learning to swim because they are afraid of water.
In some individuals, although there is no specific problem, it can also be seen after witnessing the dangerous moments of individuals who experience danger in the water. However, hydrophobia, as it is popularly known, occurs when an animal carrying rabies germs bites people and makes them rabies patients.
Hydrophobia is commonly seen around us as a fear of swimming. However, this fear is not limited to this. There are also people who are afraid of taking a shower, running the faucet, drinking water, even in such situations.
Water phobias in the form offear of swimming are generally accompanied by drowning phobia. These individuals fear not being able to get out of the water, not being able to breathe in the water, and feel nervous when they enter the water, believing that they cannot escape the risks they will face. Forcing the individual into the water against their will can lead to an increase in water phobia.
How to overcome hydrophobia?
Hydrophobia, the fear of water, can be treated. The success level of treatment is also quite high. Fear of water is generally treated with psychotherapy. In the hydrophobia treatment phase, the cause of the fear should be determined first.
In order to get rid of the fear of water, it is necessary to identify the irrational and irrational thoughts that frighten the individual. Then the individual should be told that these thoughts are delusions. Efforts should be made to replace these negative thoughts with more positive and logical thoughts.
Individuals should encounter this feared situation gradually. The individual should stay in the feared area for a sufficient amount of time. This is to ensure that the individual gets used to it. The individual's adaptation enables him/her to pass the stages.
This situation, which first causes distress and fear, starts to become normal when the individual spends time in the area he/she is afraid of. Individuals acting more willingly and harmoniously helps to develop positive behaviors in a short time.
Hydrophobia Treatment in Children
If it is a baby or child who is experiencing fear, it should not be forced. This may cause the child or infant to become more afraid. It is possible to treat hydrophobia in children. It may have a more positive effect if children watch people swimming. Then, gradually, the child can be allowed to enter the water. In this way, your child can get used to the water and you can help them overcome their fear.