HERE IS WHY YOU MAY BE AFRAID OF THE DARK AND SOME TIPS TO HELP.
We all have a phobia of one thing or the other. For most people, it is the fear of heights. For others, it is the fear of tight or closed spaces, spiders, ladders or sea/water. However, there are some people with the phobia of darkness, even among adults.
WHAT IS NYCTOPHOBIA?
A phobia, according to Merriam Webster Dictionary, is
an irritation, abnormal, or obsessive fear of something.
NYCTOPHOBIA is a phobia of nighttime or darkness. This may cause anxiety and full-blown paranoia, and trouble sleeping in a dark room.
The name NYCTOPHOBIA comes from the Greek word for night.
Nyctophobia is fairly common among adults, surprisingly. People with nyctophobia may also have trouble sleeping (insomnia), which can lead to fatigue during the day, loss of concentration and in extreme cases, loss of jobs due to under performance.
What causes Nyctophobia?
Nyctophobia may occur as a part of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a traumatizing experience or movie. People who have depression, panic attacks, substance use disorder, history of mental illness or obsessive-compulsive disorder are at a greater chance of having a phobia of darkness.
Little things may trigger fear in people with nyctophobia. Preparing for bed, watching a scary movie, lights-out and scary thoughts may cause the person to become uneasy. You have nyctophobia if you have the following symptoms whenever you are in a dark place;
•Difficulty swallowing and dry mouth.
•Dizziness and headaches.
•Excessive sweating.
•Panic attacks.
•Increased heart rate, non-cardiac chest pain or heart palpitations.
•Intense emotions, crying and screaming in the dark.
•Nausea and vomiting when thinking about the dark or nighttime.
•Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or fast breathing.
How to deal with Nyctophobia
•Try adult night lights.
•Face your fear. Spending more time in dark rooms tentatively makes you numb to darkness.
•Talk to someone you trust.
•Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
•Try rearranging your bedroom, making the sleep space inviting with warm and pleasant décor, and a comfortable bed.