Is this normal?

Question

Ever since I was a child, I've had a paralyzing fear of the dark. I literally get so scared I cannot move. I sense a presence always in the dark. I wouldn't call it a ghost or anything silly like that but I definitely feel something is with me in the darkness. For the past few years though, I have not had a problem wi this fear at all. Though I still feel the presence I was no longer paralyzed in terror. Then about 5 months ago, there was an incident where I awoke with the same fear but this time heard footsteps when I tried to get up, I could not move, as if I was being held down. After several moments I was able to move frrely and left feeling hysterical. I have not had even the sense of fear of the dark since that night until last night. Though I wasn't paralyzed this time I did once again hear footsteps and now I am experiencing this unhealthy fear even in daylight. Does anyone have any information on what this could be or how to treat it?

Additional information: I am 22 years old and live alone in my home. Though this fear has been with me all my life, the two incidents I have referred to have both happened at my current residence.

Answer 1

Look into sleep paralysis. I used to get it. It's when your mind is partly awake, but your body isn't. The things you've been sensing and hearing might be a form of "dream". They seem very real, I know. Check it out. Here's some of the link I attached "In some cases, when hypnogogic hallucinations are present, people feel that someone is in the room with them, some experience the feeling that someone or something is sitting on their chest and they feel impending death and suffocation. That has been called the “Hag Phenomena” and has been happening to people over the centuries. These things cause people much anxiety and terror, but there is no physical harm." Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Get a baby sitter to sit at night with you...are the foot steps in your head or are they real...Get a sitter to sit up and watch you sleep. Some one you trust...if you should wake up and hear foot steps ask them if they hear it too. Don't get some one with hearing problems to help you with this. If you hear the steps but they don't, and it happens more than once, you know its you. If you hear the foot steps and they do to, congradulations you not nuts, you just have a stalker. You don't need a shrink, you need a cop.

My mom heard strange things in the night once. It was making her insane. Then the silent phone calls. This was back in the day before caller ID. Turned out dad was having an affair.

Get a tape recorder and set it up to record but plug it into a timer switch. You can get one from the hardware store for like 10 bucks. set it for a random time at night. Put a 45 minute tape (or one hour tape) on your recorder. Go to bed At what ever time at night you set the switch your recorder will power up and start recording. You can listen to the tape later in the day. See if you hear foot steps then. Or just you having a good snore till you wake yourself up.

You don't want me to start on the super natural so I won't. Sounds like you have enough problems in this world and don't need to go looking for trouble in any others. Just stick to this world and what is logical in it now. Either you have a stalker or are mental and either way you need help. Question is what kind of help right now? So figure it out.

Lots of people have a fear of the dark. That doesn't mean your nuts. Feeling some one around you does not mean your nuts. It means you need to find out if some one is around you or not.

I hate to sound like spock but lets use a little logic here. Are you having an auditory halucination or are you really hearing foot steps? Why don't you find out first. If your having halucinations, it will be a relief to know whats going on and that you may now seek the proper solution to the problem. Just call your family doctor and ask for a referal. If it turns out that you have a stalker, get a gun learn to use it, get a concealed carry permit, get a dog who has been cross bread to a Mako shark. Change all the locks on your house and get some alarm equipment put in. See how easy it is once you now what is the real problem?

Answer 3

Hi. Listen, I don't want to scare you, but this sounds bad. It must be causing you to lose sleep and feel exhausted all the time. I think you need to find some support right away. Get into a qualified therapist and tell them your story. They can help you work on it and you will soon feel much better. I am sharing this because I have been in therapy and it has made my life so much better. What ever the source of what is scaring you, you need other trusted adults to help you get it under control.

Answer 4

See a couselor or tell your family doctor all that you have related here.
this is not something to be answered here.
It sounds like panic disorder of some type, but not to be diagnosed here, get help fast, professional help though.

Answer 5

i have had this problem too. Alot. But for me, it was with fear and I couldnt speak either.... It is a ghost,and a bad spirit, and when you can talk, tell it to go onward,that is isnt welcome here and to go to the light.

Answer 6

Well if you think its more than nothing then try saying in the name of Jesus Christ get out and see what happens.

Answer 7

If you feel you have spirits in the home tell them firmly they are not welcome here and to move on. To go where they belong. Remind them they are dead and they do not belong in your house. Tell them to get out.
That is what Sylvia Brown tells other people to do.

Answer 8

Sounds like you have a real phobia...Nyctophobia.

See a psychologist.

Answer 9

imagine that it is rare thing for many people, and be proud of it
the more you like it, the more it gone.....
enjoy the thrill