How do you get over fear of the dark at the age of 30?

Question

30 ... oops.. i hate that ages.. what can i do..

Answer 1

maybe get a night light and/or keep a flashlight nearby in case the power goes out. "there is nothing to fear but fear itself". hope you'll be o.k.!

Answer 2

Perhaps you could start by realizing that its not the dark your afraid of , but you fear what you think of is in the dark.

You get over this by identifying what your real fear is and facing it or taking positive actions to protect yourself from it.

For example if the real fear is that someone is hiding in the dark in your house. Lock your doors and window so, get an alarm so no one can get in. Take a self defense class, get a big dog.

All this being said, it is also true that some fears are irrational and have no physical basis. In that case leave all you lights on and find a therapist.

Answer 3

I've recently dealt with a phobia. I had the fear of driving. Yes, that's right you can laugh - I'm used to it. Normally we develop an irrational fear because of something that happened to us in our youth. Whether you choose to admit it to anyone, there is a very specific thing that scares you. The biggest part of getting over any fear is to face it. For me it was sitting in the drivers seat one day. Then turning on the engine. Then taking the car down the driveway...down the road...to the store. etc etc. Every time, I took another step forward, despite the cold sweats and naseating fear, but eventually you DO gradually lose your fear. It becomes easier and easier. A clinical therapist can often guide you through the baby step process of facing your fear. He or she can also help rationalize your fear and help you to understand how the phobia developed, which plays a big part in overcoming it.

Answer 4

Two strategies:

Have someone like you up in a dark room until you are over your fear. Or ask himself exactly what you're afraid of and then do the opposite. Have you seen anyone professional about this? Oftentimes were reacting to early childhood experiences that had taken on larger meaning than their original context. See someone about this book and help you unravel a tangle that makes things complicated for you.

Answer 5

maybe the best is not trying to get over it...Do you live in a cave? Do you work in an underground night shift?. Sometimes our fears are just a way of facing other fears we are not able to define or to face. In this case, i don´t see why you should get over the fear of dark. If it is just so, leave the lights on!!!

Answer 6

There's nothing to fear but fear itself.

I dunno, I kind of disagree with that, when in the dark it's your imagination that's creating the fear, and so we go into a panic, etc.

Personally I embrace fear, to feel scared, and then feel the adrenaline, analyze your emotions, and feel alive. Essentially it's the same thing that adrenaline junkies do (sky divers, bungee jumpers, etc).

Are you afraid when you close your eyes?

It's probably not the dark specifically you're afraid of. Dark is just the absence of light. It's the metaphor the dark creates that most people are afraid of.

~ Mike

Answer 7

you know im only 16 but im still afraid of the dark too so you know i dont think you should ''have'' to get over it. whoever tells you that, tell them its not there problem and mind there own business.lol. use a night light or the tv thats what i do, its just a fear not a problem so dont let it over come you, over come it!
~GoodLuck

Answer 8

Actually i have helped a lot of people w/ that.
look, all u do is lock urself up in your chamber, triying to mke it completely dark or as dark as possible... at first it will be scary, i know but try to avoid calling for aid or leaving for as long as possible
while in the room, go round and try to recognize things...
try to do this excercise as much as u can, you ll be healed in notime

Answer 9

At this point, why try? Get yourself a nice little nightlight. Why worry about it? And 30 isn't old, I'm 48. And still look good. :)

Answer 10

don't fret, I am 29 and I still get spooked easy in the dark..
to be honest, I will not go upstairs in my own home of 10 years without the lights on and cant sleep alone in the dark without the light..
I just accept it..