my daughter is so scared of the dark. what do i do?!?

Question

my daughter is 13 years old and is so scared of the dark its crazy!! i dont know how to calm her down and she sleeps with the lights on. I think that she is scared someones going to kill her or something
please help me!!

Answer 1

Symptoms of Phobia Of Dark:
breathlessness, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly, a fear of dying, becoming mad or losing control, a sensation of detachment from reality or a full blown anxiety attack.



You are not the only one to suffer from this phobia. Most sufferers are surprised to learn that they are far from alone in this surprisingly common, although often unspoken, phobia.

Phobia Of Dark is an intense fear of something that poses no actual danger. While adults with Phobia Of Dark realize that these fears are irrational, they often find that facing, or even thinking about facing, the feared situation brings on a panic attack or severe anxiety.






There is a Way Out

Imagine what your life will be like when you know that you are not "defective". When you can be confident and at ease in situations where you used to feel your phobia. And when you can talk about your former fear symptoms as though you are describing a movie where the character is someone else, not you.

Phobia Of Dark
Treatment Options


Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy helps to reprogram your subconscious "programs" that may be part of your fear. When these programs are "de-bugged" the symptoms of Phobia Of Dark often are minimized. However, some people don't like the feeling of loss of control in allowing someone else to play with their personal "software".

Hypnotherapy is save and works fast.


Hypnotherapy Solutions




Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

NLP is basically the study and practice of how we create our reality. From the NLP viewpoint, a phobia is the result of your programs or "constructs" that you have created that don't work very well. With NLP, these constructs are revealed and "re-programmed" so that the Phobia Of Dark is minimized and often eliminated.


Usually the interventions are quite rapid and effective.




NLP Solutions




Energy Psychology

Energy Psychology is emerging as an excellent therapy for fears and phobias because in studies it is shown to be rapid, safe, effective and long-lasting. It is based on a theory and practice that has been around for a couple of thousand years. It has the same foundation or roots as acupuncture, except in this case there are no needles used. You could call it emotional acupuncture - without the needles. Recent scientific studies have shown it to be very effective.




Energy Psychology combines the benefits of the above treatment therapies.

You quickly and easily change your behaviors.
Your thought patterns change, often very quickly.
You develop skills and techniques that are useful for a lifetime in all situations.

Answer 2

Firs have you asked her what exactly happenned to her to make her scared of the dark all of a sudden?

In my opinion get her a lamp for her room..put a lightbulb in it ..(duh)lol and have her sleep with the lamp on and when she falls asleep you can shut it yourself.

If the lamp is not good enough and she needs the actual light on to fall asleep restfully. Then by all means allow her to go to sleep with the light on. Why not? It's not hurting anything plus it will make her feel safe and secure.

If this problem continues I would take her to a child psychologist cause some kids' feel better talking to strangers than their own parents.

WEll, Good LUck!!! I hope I helped

Answer 3

Don't just buy her a nightlight...

Buy her a nightlight with different adjustible settings. Slowly reduce the settings, and praise her (reward her with something she likes) every time she sleeps without fear or crying on a lower setting.

Spend about a week on each setting.

Tell her you are proud of her.

Eventually, place the nightlight in the hall with the door open. And slowly adjust it down until she no longer needs it.

When she cries and screams, do not reward her by hugging her. That will just train her to cry and scream. Don't be mean, just be careful not reward her. And remind her that you are confident that she can sleep without having to cry or scream.

Slow exposure is the best way to habituate a child to the thing she fears.

Answer 4

Maybe see a profesional. That is a little old to be scared of the dark. Maybe address the issue with her and find out why she is so scared of the dark. That may solve the problem just by talking about it.

Answer 5

13?? wow. when i was real lil my parents gave me a light night but it didnt work. so they would leave the closet light on or the hallway light on n then when i fell asleep they would turn it off. another thing u can try is get a clock where the screen's really bright n lights up the room a lil bit. oh yeah, i forgot to put another thing, they sell these special light bulbs that get slightly dimmer n dimmer n eventually shut off. its real slow so by the time its off, ur daughter will be sleeping.

Answer 6

bye her a cool night light that changes from dim to high and maybe she will get used to the darkness a little bit, or you could let her sleep with the lights on and then after she falls asleep, quietly turn the lights off and see what happens.

Answer 7

Have you sat down, and asked her why she's scared of the dark? Has something happend to her that you are not aware of? Has she been raped? Anything could've happend. Try not to push the subject when she gets upset.
Just talk to her

Answer 8

Try to get her to use night lights; I do! But I use mine for safety, military experience. Is it hurting anything if she sleeps with some light on?

Answer 9

Just let her sleep with the lights on if she wants.

Answer 10

Sounds to me like she needs some counseling. At 13, I don't think it's something you are going to be able to handle on your own.