I am 21 years old and all my life I have been afraid of being alone at night. I don't feel like I could live by myself for fear and constant worrying of a man breaking in or a fire happening. When I was younger I couldn't fall asleep if my dad was not there or if he wasn't up watching tv. If I am alone in the bedroom at night when I look into the dark I start worrying if someone is there and all my life have imagined images in the dark. If I am by myself I need to fall asleep with the tv on and the door to the bedroom has to be almost completely shut so that I am not staring out into the dark. I'm not the type of person who's scared of horror movies and get's bad dreams. Is anyone else like this... is this a legitimate phobia?
2007-02-22 10:28:55 · 9 answers · asked by Cristina 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Hi honey,
Its legitamate if your feeling it sweety. Dont let others tell you how you should or shouldnt feel. Its just the way you are. And If everyone was the same feel this world would be boring right? I would suggest talking to a professional. Your Doc. It seems like you have had these same feelings all your life so maybe its something a litte deeper?? Just a suggestion sweety. If not just know that alot of people get a little scared of being by themselves. God Bless you!!
2007-02-22 10:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by Elias 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, I'm 20 and I live alone and am terrified. I feel the exact same way. I have to check my doors and windows at least three times before I go to bed at night to make sure they are all locked. I have been like this since I was little and can't seem to break the fear. I recently got a dog and it seemed to help a little. At night I sleep with music or keep the tv on so I don't hear every little sound and that helps a lot. Your not alone I know alot of people like us. These three phobias meen the fear of being alone,Autophobia, Isolaphobia, Monophobia.
2007-02-22 11:32:38 · answer #2 · answered by *PrettyInPink* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be, especially if you had to worry growing up about real break ins. I overcame the fear though, and lived by myself for 1 and a half years. I had to find the right place that had a tranquility to the house and neighborhood. It was great. I had to sleep with my bedroom door always open because I had to know if anyone was "entering" during the night. All doors open, then I was fine. You never know what could happen in a bathroom with a window in the middle of the night. If the house is huge, I can still get scared, so it has to be smallish and in decent shape in a good neighborhood. And I live in a secured entrance apt now, kind of scary at night because I can faintly hear the neighbors in the building who are still awake and can't tell if they are in their own place or mine.
2007-02-22 10:41:35 · answer #3 · answered by h.marieh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 30 years old, and still hate to live by myself. I do have a fear of a man breaking in to my house or anything happening. I always keep my doors locked, even during the day. I can't sleep in the dark, I too keep my TV on. I hate walking around my house at night, in fear that someone may be in my house and I don't know it.
I have always been this way, even as a child.
I think it is legitimate, and even normal to feel this way, especially for a woman. Sometimes we feel vulnerable.
2007-02-22 15:33:44 · answer #4 · answered by star22 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am twenty one also and i get like this when i am alone too. I worry about people breaking into my house and i somtimes unplug things when i cannot sleep because i worrie of fires too. I dont want you to think i am crazy and im not saying you should do this, but i got a little handgun that i keep nearby and i practice shooting it at night with a flashlight in my other hand so that if somone breaks in i could shoot them. If you do decide to get a gun make sure you can use it very safly even under stressfull times. I thought i was paranoid but about a week ago this racoon attacted my puppy at night, i ran right for that little gun and shot a bullet off into the air, wich saved my puppys life because the racoon ran off, when i looked at my puppy her skin was tore open by claw marks but she was ok. I know thats a bit off the subject but im even afraid to let my dog out at night sometimes. Find a way to let yourself know that you can defend yourself thats all that im saying. And i see things in the dark too but its just your mind playing tricks dont worry.
2007-02-22 11:27:13 · answer #5 · answered by John Notafakename 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm living by myself at the moment and sometimes, when all the lights are out, I somehow convince myself that something is in the dark out to get me. Then I realize, as a Christian, that nothing can cast me into Hell since God promised that those who believe in His son Jesus and trust in the sacrifice that he made will never be forsaken and will live life after death for eternity with God. Knowing this comforts me and helps me to know that even if there were something in the room, it's nothing to be afraid of.
Even so, it's natural to be afraid.
2007-02-22 10:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Aaron 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you must have had a bad experience ; maybe theraoy will help
2007-02-22 11:21:46 · answer #7 · answered by Nora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a dog... it helps
2007-02-22 11:13:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
MY COUSIN IS THAT WAY ..I SUPPOSE I AM THE SAME WAY TOO!
2007-02-22 10:36:25 · answer #9 · answered by Swm 39 4 Younger Swf Forever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋