I'm still afraid of the dark?

Question

I'm 14 years old and i'm still afraid of the dark, it's affecting my sleep because i have to leave my computer moniter on and it's distracting. How do i undo my fear?

Some other things i should mention.
My parents own a convenience store and i help them out, we come home at 11 pm usually and after that have dinner (very late i know).
I leave my moniter on because i usually have TV shows on my computer and would turn them on to help me sleep.
My biggest concern is my scholastic life, if i can't cope with this and it affects my sleep, than my grades might fall and such (school is very close)

Answer 1

You probably just have a very active imagination. And truth be told, lots of adults are afraid of the dark too. They may just call it other things, or come up with excuses but it does happen! I would suggest getting a soft night light, or a lamp with a dimmer switch. You will eventually overcome this I'm sure.

Answer 2

Don't leave your computer monitor on. Just have a night light - you know, a little light that plugs in; the best are those that turn on as it gets darker in the room. Just always leave it in. It's not enough light to do anything but it's enough light to see around the room.
I still leave a light on when I'm sleeping in a hotel room when I'm traveling. I may leave the bathroom light on and close the door just enough to let a little light into the room. I'm an adult and I don't consider that to be strange.
It's different in your room because you know your room very well and you don't NEED to see everything. But anything that helps you sleep comfortably is a good thing. Eventually, when you are used to a night light, you'll see that there's enough light shining in through the windows, similar to a night light, to allow you to see the things in your room. When you realize that, you can start sleeping with just the light coming in through the windows.
Too much light coming in through the window will bother you.
It's a gradual process, getting used to shades of grey - that's what the dark is. NO one likes to sleep in pitch black unless they are very sensitive to light.

Answer 3

First get a night light to lower your wasting of electricity.

Then in the middle of the night, when all is dark and quiet, practice walking around your home in the dark.

Next step ... the bedroom is for sleeping, get the TV and the computers out of your room. Take up reading for enjoyment in their place as a pre-sleep activity.

Then when you are ready ... lay in your bed, turn off your lights, and "pretend" that you are asleep. You do this long enough you will be asleep.

PS - No caffeine after 3pm & no sweets after 7pm.

Answer 4

Honey, I'm 21 and still afraid of the dark. I've learned to sleep with a lamp on! For me I'm convinced it's a deeper fear of the unknown than the dark. So it's ok. :) If you feel like it could hinder your life talk to a psychologist. If not you'll build some coping tactics.

Answer 5

use a low wattage lamp or a night light. It won't be so bright that it will bother you when you close your eyes. LED night lights give plenty of light are very energy efficient and do not generate any significant heat. A computer monitor wastes a lot of energy and I'm sure your parents will appreciate it being turned off. You will very likely just grow out of your fear with time.

Answer 6

Hi Telme, Why not buy a night light instant of using your moniter. That way you can go to sleep. I use to be afraid of the dark and someone told me it's not the dark to be afraid of. It's what's in the dark that you should be afraid of. Makes a lot of sense to me.
A Friend.
poppy1

Answer 7

well I'm 27 and still afraid of the dark i sleep with the toilet light on plus the t.v because if i can not see anything when wake up i freak out and have an anxiety attack I've tried lots of things but this seems to work for me so don't worry to much to all the people who say that its stupid or weird it isn't it ain't nice to be scared of anything i also have two kids and one doesn't sleep in darkness he is scared as well.he sleeps with TV on or in my bed I'm a single mum too.

Answer 8

there's nothing wrong with getting a night light for your room. Target has some really cool ones that won't cramp your teenage style. And - nobody has to know it is a night light. Just get one of those push-button lights, or get a string of decorative lights to go above your window like a curtain decoration. Something like this: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=/qid=/ref=br_1_2/601-3953527-5036101?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0002S7UIK

or you could get a lamp that has a dimmer switch and just dim the lights really low when it is time to go to bed.

Answer 9

why do you leave the monitor on intead of the light in your room?
does the monitor gives more light than the flourescent tube?
try to turn on the light in your room and get to sleep. when youve learned to sleep like that, put a mask while you sleep. and then try to sleep with the lights out with your mask.

do this gradually

Answer 10

i used to be afriad of the dark but what really helped me was a few years ago at my freinds b-day partywe all went in the basement soaken wet after swimming with no shirts on. someone had the idea of turning of all the lights and wed play tag but insted of taggin eachother we had to slap eachothers backs. it hurt but it was so much fun cause i was with my freinds after that i go in the dark all the time. so try confronting your fears with ur frieinds