2007-01-19 04:48:38 · 17 answers · asked by davit4tru 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
My friend is 15 and he is still afraid of the dark and sleeps with light on. He told me its b/c of his past experiences. Does he need to consult a psychiatrist ?
2007-01-19 04:59:05 · update #1
no way. tell him to grow up.
2007-01-24 10:42:05 · answer #1 · answered by user name 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normal is in the heart of the beholder. All men are afraid of the dark. It is embedded in our instinctual hard drive. We have been afraid of the dark since time began. The darkness represents the unknownn and the unknow scares anyone.
We get over the fear of darkness by understanding that nothing will happen in it under normal circumstances. Some people have a tougher time than others. Try only having on a night-light when you sleep. After some time you can try to sleep with the light s completely off.
2007-01-19 05:04:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is normal. Do whatever you have to do to get your mind off of what puts you in fear. I watched the exorsist when I was 6 years old and it screwed me up really bad. I could never sleep in my bedroom. When my parents rejected me from their bed I would go to the living room or the den and put a television on to kill the eerie silence. This went on for years and years to the point where I would never sleep in my bedroom even in high school. I was not scared of the movie by then but I had become so use to having the television on when I fell asleep that I could not sleep without it being on. I came to realize that I was uncomfortable with complete silence and darkness. So my solution is to leave your television on because it provides light and noise. Make sure you put something on that you have seen several times but love to watch. This way you do not stay up trying to finish what your watching which can result in staying up all night. You will be able to fall asleep comfortable because your mind is occupied and content with its favorite show or movie. You never have the need to stay up and watch the next scene because you have seen it a hundred times before. Do this for a while and eventually your fear will fade.
2007-01-26 08:31:22 · answer #3 · answered by Louie G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is your definition of normal? just because a person sleeps with a light on it doesnt mean they have an abnormality. It might make him feel more comfortable. I sleep better with the radio on, so I guess i have more abnormalities than i was aware of. I am making a Dr.s appointment on monday to take care of it. NOT! It is by choice, if he's comfortable then it's his choice, when he's ready if he decides to turn the lights out he will if not light is on and someone is home asleep!
2007-01-27 04:09:50 · answer #4 · answered by Tigerluvr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am 31 and because of an incident when i was younger i am still afraid of the dark and either must sleep with a light on or sleep earlier then my neighbours whom liv abov me sinc i resid in a bsmt and being able to hear that thers are still awake and making noise it calms my nerves and comforts me 2 know others are awake and im not the only one up, so i must go to bed earlier then anyone around me to ensure i have a pleasant rest or sleep with a coupl lights on.
2007-01-26 18:30:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many things happen in the dark and many people associate it with things unknown and most things considered unknown are always considered harmful. While dealing with the dark is an individual thing, maybe counseling would help your friend but that is something he is going to have to want. You are a good friend to stand by and not ridicule him. Everyone doesn't mature at the same time.
2007-01-26 20:24:07 · answer #6 · answered by Bethy4 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i dont hink it is normal... if a person still sleeps with the lights on at that age.... maybe u should talk to the person and find out why they wont sleep in the dark.. personally i love the dark!!
2007-01-19 04:56:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No... not unless it is making him uncomfortable and causing him to lose sleep.
Sleep depravation can cause irrational behavior. And since your pineal gland recognizes light and dark and know that you are not supposed to sleep in the daytime... that could in essence cause his sleep depravation which could in turn cause him to experience irratic behavior. It is a vicious cycle.
He could be psychosensitive and senses and or feels things of an "otherworldly" nature?
2007-01-19 05:07:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not normal to be 15. almost all people are other ages.
most people are afraid of something that they would not admit at a drop of the hat.
some people are afraid of the light. given the choice, what would you choose?
2007-01-26 18:57:47 · answer #9 · answered by horsehair 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 23 and dont like the dark. People have certain quirks about them, and most of them don't need a psychiatrist/psycologist's help.
2007-01-19 05:07:15 · answer #10 · answered by adorethasp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well.. I sleep wwith the lights on and i'm in my early 20's...i could turn off the lights but sometimes i feel a presence..and it freaks me out...it doesn't rule my life...and if somebody is there with me.. i have no problem...
2007-01-19 05:01:10 · answer #11 · answered by red_klinik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋