Fear of Sharks in the Swimming Pool

Reader’s Question

I know what I’m about to say might sound ridiculous but I really need to share this concern with someone.

Ever since I was little, whenever I’m by myself in a swimming pool that is either dark-colored or in the shade, I have this terrible fear or gut feeling that there is a shark in the water. If the pool is light-colored or in the sun I am fine. I know how irrational this sounds. I know that logically there is no way a shark could be in the pool. I also know the fear is irrational because I’m fine if someone is in the pool with me.

What could be the basis of this irrational fear? How do I overcome it?

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Because your fear and apprehension is tied to an identifiable situation or circumstance, it’s best thought of as a phobia. But in your situation, it gets a bit trickier attempting to specifically define the situation or thing about which you are phobic. Although your fear involves concern about a possible shark, it does not appear that your apprehension is connected to a fear of sharks per se. But the fact that you indicate you are fine in a pool that is light-colored, well-lighted, or in the sun suggests that your apprehension is more connected to a fear of the dark.

Many children experience various manifestations of fear of the dark when growing up. Basically, the fear is based in the pervading sense that something very frightening and potentially dangerous is lurking just outside of our awareness and could strike at any moment. The fear is more centered around not feeling in control because darkness or a lack of ability to sense and respond to potential dangers makes us vulnerable. So, whenever the lights are on, someone else is around, or we feel able to scan, respond to, and control our environment, we don’t experience the fear. Because you indicate that when someone else is in a pool with you or when the scene is well-lit you don’t experience your usual fear, it appears the basis for your fear lies not so much in a concern about sharks but rather your lack of confidence in your ability to sense and respond to potential dangers that might be present outside of your sphere of awareness.

Most of the time, with time and experience, fears originating in childhood are overcome. But sometimes we can also be struggling with traumatic memories from childhood that we’re not consciously aware of and that bear some similarities to our phobias which make our phobias more difficult to overcome. In any case, such fears can be dealt with and overcome in a relatively straightforward manner, regardless of their origin. It might be wise to seek consultation with a professional who not only specializes in the amelioration of phobias but also the working through of bad memories and childhood trauma.