I'm really afraid of the dark, I can't help it either?

Question

I'm fifteen years old, and I'm terrified of the dark! I can handle snakes and spiders without batting an eye, but I'd rather be cut than be all alone in the dark.

Answer 1

Go to a hypnothist

Answer 2

Try and find out what it is about the dark that affects you... my daughter (she's 12) cannot fall asleep in the dark. She is fine waking up in the dark, and can fall BACK asleep in the dark if she wakes up in the middle of the night for some reason (bathroom needs, noise, etc) but for the initial "going to sleep" process, she requires at least a night light, and usually more.

It's not uncommon, but it can be embarassing or problematic -- I've also known people that can't fall asleep if ANY light is on. If you can come to terms with it for the exceptions (when you're visiting someone, on vacation, etc.) it will help, but ultimately, if you need some light to fall asleep, then you need some light.

Talking with a therapist, especially someone familiar with sleep disorders, might give you some insight; but don't fall for the idea that you're "wierd" because you're not by any means alone. We all have our demons. It's good to be able to face them when we have to, and for this reason I might consider talking with someone, but at the end of the day, in your own home, you should be comfortable and do what promotes a good nights rest. Being flexible about your nightime habits can be beneficial... but not more beneficial than what it takes for you to get that sleep that we all need.

Don't fret it. Perhaps try to understand it better, but don't force yourself to do things that cause unrelenting stress... in the final analysis, knowing how to make ourselves most effective and happy is more important than fitting into a mold that just doesn't work.

Answer 3

Hi, have you ever thought of buying dimmer switches, so you can dim the light so almost dark but not in darkness.
You can buy little torches so if have to go out in the dark, you can use it if and when the fear arises. It is something you can face and try and overcome but until you can do that get some dimmer switches to help you to relax when the fear is within you.
You don't need to be in the dark in todays day and age, lots of little gadgets to illuminate the room or even about you while out.

God Bless You xxxx

Answer 4

Lots of kids are, but it's a little unusual for a young lady your age to be. This is a method that worked for me about the age of 5 or 6 and worked for my two little grand-nieces who are 4 and 6, respectively:

Whatever is in the dark draws its power from your mind. But you control your mind and you can call up things on your own behalf as well. I imagined an escort of British Commandos (this was back during World War Twice). Sarah imagined a group of Jedi Knights and Heather imagined a band of Civil War cavalry with rifles. (I had been telling the kids about how Phil Sheridan rallied his troops at the battle of Winchester.) Once we had our escorts around us, nothing dared to give us any trouble.

Don't know if this will work for you, and of course you decide what powerful allies you want to summon up, but good luck.

Answer 5

It's nothing to be ashamed of. everyone has a phobia of something. Me I'm afraid of even the tiniest spider nothing else freaks me out worse. get a cool looking nightlight and don't worry about it. Everything seems to come into perspective with age and you'll find one day that the same things you see in the daylight are the same things that are there in the dark. don't let it bother you Good Luck

Answer 6

dont worry about it. Its much better to have this phobia even though you dont think so, because you can solve it with a light. A night light or flash light, they have keychains with little flashlights you can carry around with you in your purse if you ever get stuck.
Id rather have a fear of the dark than claustrophobia or spiders heights etc because you cant really do much with those at the time its happening.

Answer 7

It's ok. Learn to accept it. You will be worse off if you get stress about being afraid of the dark than by being afraid of the dark itself. Being afraid won't cause you any damage... stress about being afraid will cause the damage. Remember! It's not the thing that causes trouble - it's the reaction to the thing.

Answer 8

many children and adults have this fear, myself included...this fear is real and not to teased about. i have many nightlights on at night for sleeping....1 in the bedroom, 1 in the hall, bathroom, kitchen and several in the front room..this eases my fear of the dark and help me sleep at night.... in the case of the power going off i have several battery operated lamps[ used for camping ] that i keep close to hand. and also have flashlights available for these times......i also keep a good supply of the batteries that are needed to maintain these lamps and flash lights...[i really do not like to use candles for emergency lighting because they can be dangerous to use....

Answer 9

The dark freaks me out too. I hate to admit it, but it does. It always has and it porbably always will. At night I sleep with my t.v on (mute of course), just for the light. Don't be ashamed of it. I'm 22. I know lots of people like this. I think more people are like this than we think, they just won't admit it.

Answer 10

you are afraid of the dark becasue you meet yourself in darkness.

your regular habit is to meet others only.

you do not want to be alone.

whenever you feel darkness you are alone in the darkness.

this could be blessing if taken positively.

Answer 11

It's fearing the unknown and control issues that make people fear the dark.