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?
2006-09-25 14:26:58 · 16 answers · asked by Celestian Vega 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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.
2006-09-25 14:32:44 · update #1
There are a number of things that it could be. A full assessment by your doctor or by a psychotherapist should prove helpful.
Fears in childhood are not uncommon, but as you experienced, they are usually outgrown. However, in stressful times, it is not uncommon for such phobias to recur. It's a bit like the new worries attaching to old ones. The brain seems to remember how to be afraid in the old way. Those neural pathways appear to last, even when they've been dormant for a long time.
Your condition sounds like it is intermittent, and as such, I would not recommend using any medication for it. Instead, a few sessions of cognitive psychotherapy would provide you with the tools to help you deal with the fears. Another path to follow could include hypnosis or EMDR.
You posted this in the religion section, and I wonder if somehow you think these events are spiritually related. This isn't likely. This kind of experience is not uncommon and crosses the boundaries of denominations, faiths, and beliefs in high powers.
2006-09-25 14:35:02 · answer #1 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I have had that same experience as a child and teen until my family moved. I will always believe in my heart that the house was haunted. Do you experience this only in the same place? If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?
I am 29. we moved when I was 14. I experienced "sleep paralysis" very often right before we left, and as a result - I only slept during the day because I was so scared to sleep at night because of the darkness ( even though weird things would also happen during the day). I am not a "cooky" person LOL but I truly believe, due to many other things in that home, that it was haunted. I also think that some people are in touch with that "sixth sense" than others, and that is why some may not feel the same thing in the same location
2006-09-25 21:30:14 · answer #2 · answered by Bellina 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You are experiencing a rather common psychological phenomenon known as "night terrors." Night terrors are quite different from nightmares in several ways. First of all, night terrors seem infinitely more real. People who have night terrors have a much more physical fear reaction to these events than do people who are just having nightmares. Common features of night terrors include a sense of malevolent prescence, the feeling of paralysis, and extreme fear. I too have had night terrors for years and now that I understand, at last, what they are; I am much less fearful of them. However, there are still occasions when I will wake up and feel completely overwhelmed with fear in response to these delusions.
There is much help available for treating night terrors and for coping with them. The Night Terrors Resource Center has a lot of really good advice that you'll be able to use. See the link below.
2006-09-26 02:42:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd definitely go to a psychologist - someone w/ a PhD. It does not sound like a severe mental illness but just your mind projecting its fear outward and it taking form (the form being the feeling of a presence, the hearing of footsteps). You might want to check into sleep paralysis (http://watarts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/S_P.html). I don't know if you have the problem but check it out -- basically, a small percentage of people who wake during REM sleep (where the mind temporarily paralyzes the body to keep it from hurting itself if it acted out dreams) become confused and frightened at the paralysis and this fear is projected out as a real experience of an intruder, a demon, or an alien. Even if you don't have this, at least you can become aware of the fact that the mind can project alot of experiences when it's afraid. If you can, realize it is just that and that it's ok to be scared-- but it's definitely best to learn techniques with a psychologist (a psychologist who has experience in this area). A psychologist specializes in therapeutic treatments (e.g. cognitive behavior therapy) and a psychiatrist specializes in meds. Go for the psychologist and follow his/her advice (unless u find they're not good & then switch to a different one).
2006-09-25 21:39:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
sleep paralysis, can be caused by a mental disorder, however i think that the large part of it is people that will not acknowledge the existence of the paranormal.
what you are describing could well be a demon or negative spirit of some kind. the fact that it is re-accruing could be evidence of a continual haunting (family haunting or Curse). or it could just be something that has latched onto you because it found a fear that it could exploit.
If you believe in any Gods, use your faith in them to give you strength against it.
I would advise that you find a spiritualist, or a priest in your area to bless your home, and possibly a Spiritual Cleanser (exorcist) to drive it from your life.
P.S. i good Cleanser usually will not charge you for the services, maybe juse something for gas.
2006-09-25 21:50:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you have been in the same house all this time, there might be
a spirit attached to the house in some way. There are spirits that
roam and try to scare us. I had one stand in a doorway once.
All I saw was its shape. And when I looked again, it kept being closer. The last time I looked, it was gone.
I see so many of these things now I don't give a poop. You
don't need to do all kinds of magic mumbo jumbo. Just ask
God to help you. He knows better if it is something bad, or just
a lost soul that needs our love.
2006-09-25 21:36:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Honey, you are not crazy! You are very sensitive to the spirit realm! You are right! In the name of Jesus, Command it to go! renounce anything you every played with(demonic), Plead the blood of Jesus on yourself! And most of all UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE ALL AUTHORITY OVER IT!!!!!! DO NOT BE AFRAID! "You were not given a spirit of fear,but of love,peace and a sound mind"! Speak Gods word to it! That is your SWORD IN THE SPIRIT! I know from experience! And walked through the same thing and conquered it! Know I am teaching my children to be Warriors! Be Blessed!
2006-09-25 21:37:00 · answer #7 · answered by Proud MOM 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I've heard of things like that happening, and the person that it was happening to cried out to Jesus to help them,and the thing what ever it was left. God bless
2006-09-25 21:36:44 · answer #8 · answered by doggybag300 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Remember, when it is dark you are not receiving the sensory input you receive in the light. Your imagination is "filling in the gaps", creating a "presence".
Just keep reminding yourself that there is nothing there in the dark that isn't there in the light.
May you be happy,
May you be free from suffering,
May you be at peace...
2006-09-25 21:37:02 · answer #9 · answered by On The Path 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i think youre just imagining things.
if it becomes a problem.. either get A) a doctor or B) a paranormal expert guy.
it might also be a fear of the dark
maybe sleep with the lights open?
2006-09-25 21:29:46 · answer #10 · answered by uhohspaghettiohohs 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋