Why Am I Afraid Of The Dark?

Do you have trouble breathing when in the dark?

Do you experience an upset stomach when in the dark?

Do you experience lightheadedness or dizziness when in the dark?

Do you experience shaking, trembling, or tingling sensations when in the dark?

Do you experience chest tightness or pain when in the dark?

Does your heart start racing when in the dark?

Do you start sweating when in the dark?

Do you experience an intense need to escape when in the dark?

Are you losing control or feeling crazy when in the dark?

Are you feeling like you may die or lose consciousness when in the dark?

Do you experience detachment from self or feeling “unreal” when in the dark?

Based on your answers, you don’t show any signs of nyctophobia (an extreme fear or night or darkness) that cause intense anxious symptoms. You may fear the dark just because you can’t see what’s around you, which is a completely normal response. There is a difference between a ‘fear’ and a ‘phobia’: a fear may become a phobia when symptoms cause impairment in daily functioning.

You are displaying one or more intense, anxious symptoms when you find yourself in the dark. If you are experiencing fear of the dark you may not necessarily be dealing with a phobia. Fear can be normal, but when it impacts daily functioning and sleep patterns, it may be important to visit your doctor. There is a difference between feeling uncomfortable at night when the lights are off (fear) and feeling extremely anxious or distressed at night (sign of phobia). You should consider seeking medical support if your fear of the dark makes you extremely anxious, when the fear is exaggerated, when you can’t fall asleep when in the dark, and when you are experiencing such symptoms for at least six months.

Unfortunately, you are displaying several signs typically seen among individuals who have nyctophobia (an extreme fear of night or darkness that cause intense anxious symptoms). It is essential to plan a visit to your doctor. Not all phobias require treatment, but nyctophobia can make it difficult to have a normal sleep pattern. This may affect your health and can even lead to severe sleep disorders. Various therapies exist to address nyctophobia. Exposure therapy exposes people to their fears, in this case darkness, repeatedly until the situation or thing they fear no longer causes panic. Cognitive therapy helps you to replace your anxious feelings with more positive thoughts.