We've been looking forward to the warmer months all winter long, but with the summer sun also comes a newfound sense of shared fear.

No it's not sharks, being stung by a jellyfish, or the dangerous rays of the sun that have us in a panic. It's the fear of wearing a bathing suit! Run for your lives!

Turns out that the dreaded feeling of knowing bikini season is lurking around the corner affects all of us.

A recent Harris Poll revealed that more than 30% of Americans have not worn a swimsuit in public in more than five years. 20% of respondents admitting not donning a swimsuit in more than 10 years, while another 5% say they've never put on a suit!

This apprehensive feeling we have placed on our trunks, tankinis, one pieces, or speedos is officially called 'swimsuit shyness.'

The definition? "Not feeling like you can go to the pool or the beach because you have to be put in a bathing suit even if it's 95 degrees out, avoiding wearing shorts, avoiding a lot of things that are part of normal life because you're so self-conscious about your body," explained Dr. Leslie Heinberg, a psychologist a Cleveland Clinic's Bariatric Institute.

So what's causing us to keep our clothes on? It's not a weight issue as many would suspect. Heinberg highlighted the body image issues triggered by false advertising and social media as among the causes for many.

So how to overcome shying away from your swimsuit? Heinberg says stop focusing on other people.

"Taking a look around and making sure that you're not just comparing yourself to that one person out of the 100 at the pool who has a great figure, but really looking and seeing there are people of all shapes, all sizes, all ages and you probably look pretty normal in comparison," the expert explained.

We have to agree. And might we add a swimsuit that fits you perfectly and makes you feel great can make that trip to the beach or pool one you look forward too!