Are you afraid of the dark?
Fear of the dark is called night-time phobia. It’s a very common affliction, affecting up to 20 percent of people at any given time. Most people feel afraid when they can’t see well in the darkness. They may also fear that something evil lurks in the shadows. People with night-time fears may feel isolated or experience panic attacks when they are left alone at night. Night-time phobias generally fall into one of two categories: agoraphobic and social phobia.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is characterized a fear of open spaces or of situations where help is not available in the event of an anxiety attack. People suffering from this disorder might avoid traveling plane, riding in a car, or riding in elevators. They may also be afraid to attend social gatherings where they may feel embarrassed, such as weddings, parties, or business meetings.
Agoraphobia commonly develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, often following a stressful event like a death in the family, divorce, move, or job loss. A family history of anxiety or other disorders might increase the risk of developing agoraphobia. Agoraphobia may be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients learn to identify and replace negative thought patterns with more realistic and positive ones, which can help them overcome their fear.
Social Phobia
Social phobia is a category of anxiety disorder marked a persistent fear of social situations that may cause embarrassment, humiliation, or awkwardness for the person who has the condition. People who suffer from social phobia may experience an intense fear of being judged others. They may also fear that they will say something stupid or perform poorly in certain social situations. Social phobia is typically treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients learn to identify and replace negative thought patterns with more realistic and positive ones, which can help them overcome their fear.
Night Terrors in Children
Night terrors in children are characterized as a pattern of suddenly awakening with a frightened, agitated state. The child may scream, thrash, or engage in repeated pounding movements. A child who has night terrors might also wet or soil themselves during the episode. Night terrors are frightening for parents, who may worry that their child is having a seizure or experiencing a psychotic episode.
Night terrors usually begin between the ages of two and six years old and affect about 1 in every 20 children. Night terrors are not related to sleepwalking or to other medical conditions, although some children might have a sleep disorder that causes them to have night terrors. Parents may be able to help relieve children’s symptoms distracting them with a toy or talking gently to them until the episode ends.
Night-time Panic Attacks
Night panic attacks, also called nocturnal panic attacks, occur when people with night-time fears experience a panic attack while they are sleeping. Panic attacks often occur in sleep, rather than during the day, because people with this phobia have a hyperactive brain during rest. People with night panic attacks may fear that they are going crazy. They might also feel embarrassed and ashamed because they are not able to control their behavior during a panic attack. Night panic attacks often begin during the adolescent years, possibly due to hormonal changes, peer influences, or stress related to schoolwork or relationships.
Diagnosis of night-time fears
People with night-time fears generally feel afraid or anxious when they can’t see well in the dark. They may also worry that something evil lurks in the shadows. If this sounds like your experience, you may want to seek professional help. If you’re concerned about your nighttime fears, talk to your doctor. He or she can evaluate your symptoms and give you advice about how to cope with your anxiety.
Treatment of night-time phobias
Night-time phobias are among the most difficult of all phobias to treat. Most people need to be treated several times before they experience lasting improvement. Because night-time fears are often related to the fear of being alone, it’s important to avoid being in the dark turning on a light, closing the curtains, or going to sleep with a companion. For effective treatment, you must confront the source of your fears. If you are afraid of the dark, you may want to read about common night fears and learn about the possible treatments discussed in this article and others. You may also want to consider using a talking lamp to guide you through your fears.
Conclusion
In a dark room, you may feel as if something is watching you or as if you are not safe. You may even have a sense of impending danger. These feelings are normal, and you shouldn’t try to ignore them. It’s important to remember that these feelings are temporary, and they will go away soon. You can cope with your fear remembering that you are safe.
In the end, you aren’t alone in the dark. It is okay to be afraid of the dark regardless of age. There are many effective treatments for phobias. Your doctor can recommend the best treatment for you. I am not a doctor I just read a lot in an attempt to normalize once taboo topics. It’s okay to get help.