How to get rid of severe night fears?

Question

Since i was little I've had trouble sleeping at night. I get scared, to the point that I'm almost shaking and in tears. Scared of things like characters in scary movies, things on TV...even things I saw YEARS ago end up randomly in my head. It's affecting my work, because I usually don't get to sleep until 4 or 5 in the morning. I feel like a child, I'm afraid of scary movies like a kid would be. Not seeing them doesn't even help, because I invent things in my head that could happen, or I picture the commercial from a scary film. Telling myself they're not real doesn't help. I want to get over this and be able to act like an adult, instead of sleeping with the light and TV on...or getting up and sitting up for hours on end with every light in the house on.

Any suggestions?

It's not ALWAYS just at bedtime, just mostly.

Sometimes, if I've seen something recently or been thinking of something, I'll get nervous being alone in a room...such as taking a shower or something like that. I'll leave the door open or have a younger sibling sit in there and talk to me (they're 6 and 7, so we just talk about their school or something).

So, it's all the time, but obviously more so at night when I'm going to sleep and no one else is awake. If someone else in the room is awake with me, I'm fine. It just takes me so long to fall asleep even when I'm not scared, that I usually end up being the last one awake.

Answer 1

Is this related to a general anxiety problem (i.e. you are scared and shaky during the day also) or is it specific to bedtime?

If you wake up from sleep in a panic, there could be a medical issue involved (sleep apnea, night terrors, etc). If you have a hard time falling asleep, it could be good old fashioned insomnia due to the stress of scary nighttime thought patterns.

If your doctor clears you of any medical condition, I would consult with a therapist. One who works a lot with problems related to fear would be great. Nowadays, there are great treatments for fear/phobia type problems. One of my favorites is EMDR. Also interactive guided imagery may be helpful.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

You have the exact thing I have the proper term for it is "Night Terrors". I know how real they seem.

I use to run out of my bed and into the wall then bounce off the wall to the ground and fall a sleep

I use to see things like

Freddy Kruger staring at me .

A black panther pacing back and forth looking at me ready to pounce.

A shape of a person on the wall like you would see a shadow, that had an image of a lightning bolt running around on the wall.

I kept seeing red glowing eyes in my closet.

and a ton more

My mom was worried because I would just scream and was out of control. So she took me to the doctor and the found out that it was caused by " Night Terrors".

I still have them the odd time but this is what helped me get over them.

First of all no matter how real the seem they are not, this is not easy to do, but when you see something walk right up to it and it will go. It will take time but the more you do it the more it will convince your brain there is nothing there.

So give it a try it will not work the first time you do it, but just keep doing it and it should help. It helped me.

Good luck

Answer 3

Oh, honey, get a dog, or 2 or three cats.

The lovely warm weight of their furry bodies will comfort you, and when your fears creep in, you may simply glance at the dog, or the cats...if they are sleeping peacefully (and they always are) you will know for a fact that no harm approaches.

It is almost impossible to be afraid when the warm, heavy weight of a purring cat is singing you to sleep, or a faithful, loyal dog is standing guard!

Sweet dreams and good luck to you.

Answer 4

You are not the only one. ;)
A nice warm glass of Cocoa sometimes does the trick, also try relaxing and imagining a comfortable pillow or whatever helps you feel relaxed.
Maybe sing some Christmas songs or pop a Christmas CD in.
Good Luck, God Bless...and to all a goodnight.

Answer 5

I was like that for years myself... even into my 30's. You need to pray... ask Heavenly Father to come and protect you and that he will clean your room of any evil spirits.

Remember, Satan is the author of fear. That is why you should not watch those movies becuase any time you do that you invite them in. You give them power and they ARE around you.

Make sure you pray when you are afraid and be confident the Lord hears you. He does hear you and he WILL comfort you and protect you and make them leave.

Another thing you need to do is to sing a hymn. Pick one and sing it in your head. It will comfort you and invite the Holy Ghost in. Hymns are like a prayer to the Lord.

Remember.... you are a child of God and you have the right to call upon your Father in Heaven to protect you.

If you feel its so bad maybe you would want to call in the Elders from the LDS Church to bless your home.

Pray and sing hymns.. it does work. I still do it.

Answer 6

Prayer is the first answer. Do you sleep with someone? Like a spouse, sibling? That would probably help until you get better. Good luck friend.

Answer 7

Pray well to god before sleep. don't watch scary movies or read spooky buks b4 goin 2 bed...that kills ur sleep.. go 2 bed with +ve thoughts in your mind...never mind wt tommorow will be... if scares persist,, do 2 a psychatrist 4 some counselling

Answer 8

I agree with the earlier answer - pray to God. This is another option besides seeing a psyhology for therapy to get rid of this fear. God bless you.

Answer 9

Ask God to take away your fears. Seriously. It works.

Answer 10

I would reinforce what Dr Dregs has to say.