About Aquaphobia
Aquaphobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of water that is beyond a person’s control and often interferes with daily life, confidence & self-esteem. For some, even talking about swimming or water related activities can cause a traumatic reaction or a sense of panic even if they are nowhere near water, such is the degree of their fear. Aquaphobic adults will tend to avoid swimming whether at their local pool or on a beach holiday and may even fear the water in a shower or bath. Aquaphobia often has far reaching effects on the quality of a person’s life, affecting their lifestyle choices both personally and professionally, also their relationships with friends and family. Aquaphobia can happen to anyone at any age, it is not a reflection on strength of character, personality or intelligence. The longer this phobia goes untreated the more entrenched it may become and they can miss out on opportunities and experiences that can leave an individual feeling isolated, embarrassed, or frightened and may cause them to experience social exclusion.
Aquaphobia Scale
Feeling anxious about water? Try the waterphobia scale test today and see if you could benefit from some one to one support from our trained Swim Whisperer. Contact us with your test results!
The Aquaphobia Learning Programme
The Aquaphobia Learning Programme (ALP) is a 12-stage step approach to support those with a fear of water, providing them with the confidence, skills and techniques to enjoy the unique freedom that being in water can give. Distinctive from swimming programmes, ALP focuses on eliminating and desensitising fear, with the physical mechanics of swimming being secondary. The aim of the programme is to teach a participant how to relax, float, feel happy and in control in the water and reduce all stresses in a safe and careful way.
Taught by a qualified Aquaphobia Coach, each course is tailored to the individual’s personal needs and degree of fear, going at their own preferred pace, so they feel uplifted, encouraged and comfortable to undertake lessons on a regular basis. When a person has achieved a stage, they then progress on to the next one in sequence, with no set timescale or pressures on the individual they will learn key swimming skills that really boost enjoyment and relaxation.
There are five categories of aquaphobia:
- A first-hand experience of a traumatic event (whether remembered or not)
- A second-hand experience, witnessing or hearing about a traumatic or upsetting event
- Fear caused by under developed swimming or water survival skills
- Has learnt to swim but still feels anxiety and fear in the water
- Social pre-conditioning caused by family or community customs – As children we take on many personality traits of people close to us.
Does any of this sound like you or someone you know?
Our qualified Aquaphobia Swim Whisperer In Moray is here to help. Contact us now to start your support journey.