Sudden development of a phobia

I can completely relate. Several years ago I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and had to have an MRI of my head. It was a traumatizing experience -- I've never been so close to a panic attack. For days afterwards I would feel that same claustrophobic sensation, even while lying in bed at night or being in the back of a car. Tunnels were especially challenging. I was actually very concerned that i was permanently damaged from the experience. I've had to have two more scans of my head since. With the second, I forced myself to do it. I was truly anxious, but I kept my eyes closed shut and thought about the most peaceful things I know. If my heart started to pound, I forced myself back into these thoughts. For some reason, it was really comforting to think of figure skating, of all things. I was brutally honest with myself, saying, "You are being ridiculous. Nothing is happening to you. Just lie still." But I think what really worked was understanding the root of my anxiety -- duh -- cancer. But, more specifically, one night I was trying to fall asleep and couldn't get the experience out of my mind, and I suddenly imagined the lid of a coffin coming down over my face. Yes, the MRI is like a coffin, and I was afraid of dying. I feel like I've gotten a handle on this fear now, and even writing about it now makes me think it was ridiculous a year or so ago. But it was real and troubling. I feel like I did a bit of successful therapy on myself. :) My guess is that there is some stressor in your life causing this fear. And I think you have to figure out this stressor and face the water head-on, all the while reminding yourself that your thoughts are irrational. If it gets worse, and it is a true phobia, it can be very successfully treated with specific types of therapy. Sorry for the novel. Good luck to you.

This is a common fear.

Was there anything on the news or anything you have heard from friends or family that has seemed to frighten you? I say you try to over come the fear and actually go underwater and see what happens! You said you were a lifeguard, so think about this, do you remember when you were a little kid and you just LoVED swimming with friends playing all sorts of games, or when you are guarding and you see how much fun kids are having in the water. I think you should take that to heart and try to overcome that fear cause maybe then you could realize you could STILL have that much fun underwater and anywhere!

I agree with MrsBailey9, well said my dear!

I agree. If you are having this much anxiety over this, you should get a referral from your doctor for a Psychiatrist who can provide you with "talk-therapy" and medication. This is normal to develop fears and phobias at any age in life, suddenly without prevocation. Good luck.