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How can I make my wife feel better ?

My wife was watching a show about a girl who was bitten by a shark at the beach she's always been terrified of sharks ever since she watched Jaws. She would not survive a shark attack because she gets scared so easily she can't stand sharp pains like needles so she wouldn't be able to handle a shark she wouldn't know what to do she'd probably end up having a heart attack and dying. She couldn't do it this is why she's scared to go to the ocean we also have an almost 2 year old son she's scared for him too. She wants to get over her fear so she can surf she's always dreamt of being a surfer but because of her mental disabilities and heat problems she's worried she can't do it also she's already almost 30 so she thinks she's too old to start surfing. Her cousin is obsessed with sharks she loves them she doesn't get why she likes something that can attack or kill you. How can I help her get over this fear ?

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midnightrose · F

Exposure is usually the best way to get over fears. She has to face them. Start small. How close to the water can she get? If she can't get in the water just start by getting near the water and work your way into the water. Stay in the shallow water then eventually go into deeper water.

Consider working with a professional who specializes in phobias as their advice would be better than mine.

It also might be helpful to read stories of people who survived shark attacks and had good outcomes so she will have an idea of what she can do on the rare chance she encounters a shark. We have to remember that just because we think something doesn't mean that thought is true.

She may think she wouldn't be able to survive but when we are trying to stay alive we become capable of more than we ever thought possible. I read a person's experience and it wasn't his strength that helped him survive. He had to think his way through it. He had to have emotional intelligence. Anybody can learn to have that.