I can swim in a pool fine, but in a lake or an ocean I tend to freak out when the water isn't clear. I can't see anything, so I assume something's down there to get me. My bro and sis made me watch Jaws when I was little, so I'm terrified of sharks. Could that have something to do with it?
2007-02-04 00:08:35 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
It makes sense. Phobias are often unrealistic but create very real fear responses. If you want to find out what it's about do this? Take a journal and write down that you're afraid of water. Then keep asking yourself questions until you can't answer them anymore- like this: I'm cared of water? Why? I don't know what's down there? What could be down there? I don't know- a shark or fish? What is scary about that? It could eat me? What kind of fish eat people in lakes? (do it like this- see what you get)- You could ask what is your earliest experience with water- or any memorable experiences with water beyond Jaws.
After that there are two main ways that therapists would get you to go into the water without fear. 1. you think about water and then do relaxing breathing exercises. You hold a glass of murky water and relax and do breathing exercises- knowing it's not scary. You do this so on and so forth until at last you go into the water. 2. The second way is quicker- but more scary. You face your fear directly. It's called immersion therapy. You go, run, and jump into the murky water and sit in it until you realize it's not scary. You keep doing this until your fear goes away. Immersion therapy is a lot faster.
Behavior-speaking. There is a stimulus (lake) that emits a certain response from you (fear). The goal is to create a diferent equation. Lake should eventually create the response of calm. Maybe watch t.v. shows about people swimming in the lake. Have photos up of a lake and people swimming in it. Watch others do it. Find ways to create that new stimulus-response. Good luck.
2007-02-04 05:44:19 · answer #1 · answered by DrThorne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know exactly how u feel i used to feel the same way about the lakes and beaches.
All u have to put at the back of your mind is that sharks do no be in fresh water and your are more likely to be hit by a car or get an heart attack than to be killed by an shark.
most sharks takes us for small seals and soon as they tast us they will let go and move on .
I suggest that u go in the water where there are lots of people and you will be just fine.
2007-02-04 08:20:01 · answer #2 · answered by RICKY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably, but there aren't any sharks in lakes! Try closing your eyes in a pool for a short time, then a bit longer, until you get used to it, then try a lake, saying to yourself "NO SHARKS IN LAKES!" over and over, and see how you go. For the ocean, I'd suggest a dive in a shark proof cage, to get used to them, then with a chain mail suit, and finally with an electronic shark repeller (they really work!), then shallow water with no protection, working your way up to going out of your depth for short periods, then longer. Avoid high tides, dawn, dusk, and nighttime. Remember that you are more likely to be struck by lightning and killed than by shark attack, and much, much more likely to die in a car accident on the way to or from the beach!
2007-02-04 08:52:10 · answer #3 · answered by CLICKHEREx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think its some psycological prob...get ur self cheked from a good doctor...!! i guess the reason u specified can be the actual reason for ur fear!!
2007-02-04 08:13:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It certainly does,I'm in the same situation
I wish there would be no more horror movies.
People would be better.
2007-02-04 08:15:02 · answer #5 · answered by Gabriel D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋