Is it normal to be afraid of the dark after the age of 12?

Question

My friend is 12 and she is afraid of the dark and im wondering is this normal?

Answer 1

Seems like some sort of fear is normal, yes.
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Social Fear – Fear Statistics
Approximately 5.3 million American adults ages 18 to 54 ( about 3.7 percent), have social phobia.
Social phobia typically begins in childhood or adolescence.

Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places
Agoraphobia involves intense fear of any place or situation where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of developing sudden panic-like symptoms.
Approximately 3.2 million American adults ages 18 to 54 ( about 2.2 percent) have Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places.

Specific Fear
Specific phobia involves marked and persistent fear and avoidance of a specific object or situation.
Approximately 6.3 million American adults ages 18 to 54, or about 4.4 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have some type of specific fear.

Answer 2

Sure it's normal! There are different degrees of darkness, too... there's the blackness in the country, where there are no city lights or street lights shining in the bedroom window between the cracks of the blinds, and then there's "darkness" when you live in Las Vegas and there's a constant glow in the sky that never goes out! There's the darkness of the walk-in closet when the door closes behind you, or the "darkness" of your bedroom when you leave the bathroom light on down the hall. Give her a break - she may not be afraid of anything specific, just not crazy about the feeling of being in the dark. Aren't you afraid of something that's not entirely rational?

Answer 3

1Stand up for what you believe. You need to know where you stand on important issues and be prepared to stand up for that belief. You must choose what to believe rather than allowing others to tell you what to believe. Step 2Defend others. You can be brave by defending people from bullies, rebutting lies and being friends with someone who is different or doesn't have any friends. The simple fact that you stand beside them is an act of bravery. Step 3Tell the truth. One of the hardest things to do is to be honest. It is brave to tell the truth, especially when you know there are consequences to being honest. You must admit when something is your fault and take responsibility for your actions. Step 4Know when to walk away. Sometimes the only person who recognizes this is the brave thing to do is you. There is a fine line between stupidity and bravery and you must know the difference. Step 5Have courage. You must be able to deny your own desires and put other people's needs before your own. You must have the courage to go against normal societal expectations when the situation calls for you to be brave.

Answer 4

Of course its normal. I've been afraid of the dark for ever and I'm fine! So are many other people. Give your friend a break, darkness gives her the chills.

Answer 5

am 14 now wen i was 12 i was 2 afraid of d dark but now am not

Answer 6

It's completly normal. Some grown adults are afraid of the dark.

Answer 7

yes, i can still get startled when i can't see what is around me and i am a grandmother. your nerves are still developing and your mind races with thoughts and feelings that are all new to you. 12 is a critical year in being a girl with all those body changing things going on. no big deal, just don't tell anyone about it. sleep with a night light on and you will grow out of it - i did - for the most part. what you see in the light of day is still there and nothing is different but the lack of light.

Answer 8

hah! get help? well, i'm above 12 yrs old and i'm afraid of the dark. u know wat being afraid means? if u feel afraid, it means u have hope. u have hope and faith of something in ur life tht u do not want to die at tht time. however, if u r not afraid, it means tht u r ready to die and leave everything behind. so, just stand by ur friend and help her overcome this fear of hers and not only she will appreciate it but u will also be closer to her. have fun and good luck.........

Answer 9

There is no normal. Everyone has their own weird little idiosyncrasies (pretty sure I spelled that wrong!). I'm 27 and not crazy about being in total darkness.

Answer 10

I'm terrified of the dark, i have night lights in every room of the house and a flashlight on my key ring

Answer 11

Fear of death, heights and the dark are probably the most common phobias and are shared by most people. Abnormal fear of any of these might be a problem, but not normal fear.