Hydrophobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of water. It is a specific phobia that involves a level of fear that is beyond the patient's control or that may interfere with daily life. People suffer hydrophobia in many ways and may experience it even though they realize the water in an ocean, a river, or even a bathtub poses no imminent threat. They may avoid such activities as boating and swimming, or they may avoid swimming in the deep ocean despite having mastered basic swimming skills. This anxiety commonly extends to getting wet or splashed with water when it is unexpected, or being pushed or thrown into a body of water.