How does one face their fear?

Question

A friend of mine would like to be a diver and surfer but she once drowned and has been scared of going to the sea eversince,how can she face her fear so that she can take her surfing&diving lessons?

Answer 1

The answer is simple take her to the ocean/sea and throw her in there and tell her there is nothing to be afraid about.

Answer 2

The only way to face your fear is to go out and do whatever you are afraid of. A good start would be simply going swimming at the beach. Go out into the ocean say...10 feet on one day, then the next go out 20, and so on. This way, she will get "reaquainted" with the water. Of course, doing it WITH someone would be a lot easier, especially if someone like her best friend is there cheering her on. Then one day, go out with the surfboard and don't actually surf, just ride around sitting on the board. Keep doing this weekly or daily until she is quite comfortable. Then once she has gotten used to the water again, she will probably be able to actually do some surfing. It will be really hard for her at first, but if someone is with her and encouraging her, it will help tremendously. This won't all happen in one day, obviously. But, if she does it slowly and consistently WITH people, she will eventually be able to face her fear and once again surf. (I have seen others have a hard time with facing their fears as well, but gentle pushing and encouraging words are the best way to help her get back to where she was.)

Hope this helps you!

Answer 3

surrounded by supporters she should go to the ocean and get as close as she can to it. each visit she should try getting deeper in. until her fear subsides. if she gets nervous at a level just stop until she can go again. it may take some time and there will be setbacks but keep encouraging her with each step and don't criticize.

Answer 4

she needs to join a swim team around the area.  the stronger she gets in a pool working out with a swim team, the stronger she will be psychologically out in the ocean

Answer 5

Face it face to face. Though it sounds to me she doesn't just have fear but a bit more than that. For resolving bad past experiences psychotheraphy can be very helpful.