If You Fear Deep Water, You Likely Have These 6 Traits, Says Psychologist

Understanding the Deep Water Fear: A Psychologist's Perspective

It's natural to exercise healthy caution and take safety precautions in deep water. Wearing a life preserver or avoiding venturing far out in the ocean when a lifeguard isn't on duty are common practices. However, for some individuals, the fear of deep water runs much deeper. They may avoid cruise ships or even sitting by the ocean. This kind of fear can be rooted in various psychological factors, and understanding it can help people manage their anxiety more effectively.

Dr. Brandy Smith, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist specializing in anxiety and coping skills with Thriveworks, explains that some people are afraid of deep water due to a fear of the unknown or the unseen. “A person may have an active imagination of what could possibly happen or could go wrong. The person may have seen or heard scary things that have happened or could happen in deep water,” she says.

Fears don’t define us—and we can overcome them. However, they can offer clues into our broader personalities. Below, Dr. Smith shares the six telltale traits of people with deep water fears. She also discusses tips for managing water-related anxiety.

6 Common Personality Traits of People With Fears of Deep Water

1. Struggle with the unknown and unseen
   Dr. Smith frequently sees this trait in people who are terrified of deep water. It often stems from a desire to maintain control. “This person may have a broader tendency to struggle with the unknown or unseen rather than it being limited to just one area. The person may like to feel a sense of control over as much as possible within their environment.”

2. Avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations
   People who are fearful of deep water are often inclined to avoid settings that make them anxious, hoping to circumvent distress. “This could take the form of not being on or around deep water or bodies of water in general. It could also involve not watching movies or shows that involve deep water.” However, this avoidance becomes a problem if it goes too far and prevents people from participating in fun daily activities.

3. Overactive imaginations
   An overactive imagination can make navigating life a challenge. “Someone with an overactive imagination can generate a wider variety of fearful scenarios, which is not going to help reduce their fear. This person may also end up being a 'yes, but...' conversationalist if talking with someone who is working to reassure them.”

4. Stubborn, especially with fears of water
   Dr. Smith says people with a deep fear of water may not entertain scenarios involving safe ways to interact with water, such as wearing a life jacket. “They may have the view that people were 'just lucky' when nothing 'bad' happened.”

5. They do their research
   Education isn’t a bad thing. However, people with deep-seated fears will often over-educate themselves on what could go wrong. “In those times, it can increase the person’s anxiety because they are not exposing themselves to a wide enough range of education. Rather, they are skewing their knowledge to the 'horror' stories of what could or has gone awry before.”

6. Bent on being 'right'—at least about their fear
   Again, there's something to be said for having a "healthy" fear of something, like water too deep to stand in. However, people who are hyper-fixated on the trigger can also start to heavily focus on convincing others about how right they are. “This trait can be encompassed with the sentiment that this person has 'drunk the Kool-Aid' and is working to get other people to 'drink it, too.'"

3 Tips for Overcoming Fears of Deep Water

1. Wade into it
   Dr. Smith says some people benefit from gradually easing into facing their deep-water fears. For instance, you might start in the shallow end of the pool and then progress to deeper waters little by little at a pace that works for you.

2. Explore concerns
   Dr. Smith suggests getting curious about your concerns on your own. A support person or mental health provider might also help you identify the reason for your fears. “For some people, they learn that some concerns can be addressed with learning more, like educating about how likely something is or is not based on facts and science, which can help reduce their fear.”

3. Take precautions to feel safe
   Dr. Smith suggests that this step may involve having someone or multiple people accompany you as you expand your comfort zone. “You can also consider a life vest, floats and ropes that give you something to tether to while you stretch yourself to new experiences and depths.”