I am a 28 year old woman and I recently have developed a fear of the dark!!!?

Question

I dont know what on earth is wong with me. Am I going insane or something.I have started having this gut feeling of impending doom...for no reason.What am I so paranoid about.This started about a year ago.When I go to sleep I have to turn on a light.I am afraid that if I sleep with all of the lights off someone will break into my home.My other family members dont like the lights on....so I end up hinding under my blanket to fall asleep.What could be my problem?

Thats why I am awake right now.Maybe I should take sleeping pills or something

Answer 1

Seriously sweety this is part of really really growing up.

It comes out in other ways like fear of going outside, or fear of driving or fear of having children.

I know it sound crazy but your going to have to face it dead on...work through it or get on some anti-anxiety meds before bed time so that you can relax enough to sleep.

Its not abnormal but letting it take over your life is what your not going to allow.

Maybe you can pick up a face mask, some ear plugs and learn to cut out all sensory. You have other family members who can alert you if there is an intruder...you do not have to be the one with the gun or baseball bat saving the family...just for the heck of it go and see a psychologist and see if there is anything you are connecting these fears to, but it sounds to me like you are just waking up and realizing that the outside world IS a scary place and that there are really baddies out there that sometimes prey on innocence and seriously if someone wants to break in and take your stuff or hurt you,
ALOT of the crime happens in broad daylight, the dark/light factor will NOT stop them. People will walk right into your house and empty it out, had someone walk right into our house and go to the freezer and take out hamburger patties and then walk back out threatening to cut everyone and then threw the patties in the ditch and ran away. Can happen to anyone at any time. Criminals dont sample the wind and weather and time, they just do the crimes because they need the money, desire the items, but they are not known for intellegence. Ok sweety, keep trying to fix the problem, your asking the questions and searching and thats always a good start. Take your power over this situation and solve it.-Rachel.

Answer 2

This is a common type of anxiety, i get this to and im 21- dont worry your not alone- the best thing to do is to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth- i find this helps. But its unlikely this is the only anxiety you have in your life if its just developed so go see your doctor if you feel there is anything else other than this or this is effecting your life badly. He will put you in touch with someone to talk to who can pin point any underlying problems. They may try hypnotherapy and certain other techniques (cant think of the names) that will help you get over your anxiety. If none of these work they may give you some meds which could help you. Sleeping tablets from the doc are not advisable as in my experience i have found them to be way to strong (They would floor an elephant-hehe) they make you feel very drowsy throughout the next day to and can only be used on one-off occasions. Try something from the chemist like calms. But makes sure you go see ur doc. Hope this helps you- remember your not the only one who feels like this-you not alone- dont worry & take care x

Answer 3

Sometimes ages do not matter! If you like her, ask her out. Do not back up, you might lose something you forever and never regain it. The bad news is that... aborting to high school and to college... you might never see her for years unless you move with her or have web cam. This is really risky. If I were you, and I'm 28m I would tell my parents about this but say it in a question way. "Mom/Dad, here's a question that someone is going through. A 25 year old man likes a 18 year old ladie who's going to college soon, what will you do if you're the man/ladie? How would you decide?" Good luck! -Simon

Answer 4

Well you have anxiety for sure, but what gives you that? I don't know if there is a phobia of irrational scenarios that can develop, or if you should be looking into other aspects of your life for a reason for this coming on. You don't really give enough info to offer any options, so all I can say is go see your GP. Maybe talking about it, may dissolve it, maybe you will need help from an expert.

Answer 5

Just your body chemicals are changing. Keep a flashlight on your side of the bed or under your pillow. My mother was raised hunting and camping in the woods, now here she is in her mid 60's and all of a sudden she is allergic to poison ivy so badly she breaks out if the winid is blowing in her direction from it.
I have to sleep w/ a light on somewhere in the house. I always said it was cuz I grew up next to a store and no matter where my bed was positioned the lights were in my face at night.

Answer 6

I would invest some cash in a session with a Neuro Linguistic Programmer. I have a friend who took up teaching this recently and practised on me. I used to hate eating fish. After a 15 minute session he changed that. It seems to be a therapy which works and works immediately.

Answer 7

Anxiety that probably stems from some underlying depression that has never been treated. If you are a young adult you probably haven't even realised that you have depression. Get some information etc on anxiety disorders & see what information you can get to set you in the right direction. Anxieties such as this usually get worse if not treated... It's easy to treat anxiety/depression if you get onto it sooner rather than later. Best of luck!

Answer 8

Is there anything that is bothering you during the day? It is ok to be scared of something. maybe you can tell your family about your fear of the dark. The nthey might let you turn the lights on

Answer 9

Too many scary movies. Feeling unsafe is normal. The Dark is unknown but the trick is to close your eyes. Thats Dark.

Answer 10

I am 29 and still can't sleep in the dark!! I keep the tv on at night pretty low and that helps