We have a keen interest in mental health issues and just one
of our specialisms is water phobia. We are both trained Advanced Aquaphobia Coaches. This enhances the broad experience Carol
brings to the team from over 20 years of working in mental health services.
Did you know that research undertaken in 2016 with the RLSS and UK Academy of Swimming with the UK revealed that:
●
over 14% of the adult
population has a fear of water,
●
with a huge 33%
stating they knew of at least one person with a ‘water phobia’.
●
We think that data is
just shocking and it went on to reveal that
●
1in 4 adults are
afraid to take part in any form of swimming
●
and over 7% - that’s 4
million people! Are even afraid of having a bath
●
3.8 million people
will not go near a pool due to fear
So, the issue is greater than you can imagine and the
problem is magnified when you contemplate the difficulties that those people
may get into if they to accidently fall into water or even passing on their
fear to their children creating a hereditary phobia. Often, it’s a hidden problem and people just
avoid being in the vicinity of water and avoid certain holiday environments.
But what is aquaphobia you may ask, well its an ABNORMAL and
PERSISTENT fear of water beyond the persons control. It’s impact can interfere with daily life,
confidence and self esteem. At it’s most
severe a trauma reaction can be caused by just talking about water/swimming
even if they are nowhere near water. It
can affect people personally, professionally and impact on family and friends.
The causes of aquaphobia can range from experiencing or
witnessing a first hand traumatic event (you may not even remember the event)
to having a fear which has been caused by underdeveloped swimming or water
survival skills. Or even as already
mentioned a reaction that is passed down through the family or as a result of
customs and cultures.
As aquaphobia coaches our aim is to work with you at your
own pace through a personalised programme.
Firstly, we would assess how the phobia impacts you so we can develop
your personalised programme based on The Aquaphobia Learning Programme (ALP).
Don’t worry about being forced to do things you are not ready to do, we don’t
work like that! We will work with you at your own pace, progressing gently with
encouragement to reach your goals.
We work with everyone, from those who have to gradually even
make it into the pool room to those who are not very confident swimmers and
tend to avoid such situations. Often,
we find that a life event will bring the desire to the surface to want to ‘do
something about it’, sometimes the birth of a child/grandchild or a holiday of
a lifetime. What ever the event our aim
is to help you make progress so you too can learn to love the water, or at
least tolerate it! And most importantly be safer around water.
These sessions are held in a small, secluded pool where your
sessions are held in complete privacy – don’t we all just hate it and feel more
anxious when we feel ‘everyone is watching us!
We recognise that making changes about the big stuff like
this is difficult so if you are contemplating taking the plunge but feel
understandably apprehensive just send us a message, we would be happy to talk
more about your own individual needs.
©Solent Swim School
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