Fear of the dark, or nyctophobia, is a serious affliction that can lead to loss of sleep, heightened anxiety and even physical illness if it is not treated. Although most people associate fear of the dark with childish fears, persistent nyctophobia is a serious condition that should be treated with the help of a professional. A few tips can help mitigate the symptoms and effects of a fear of darkness and help begin the road to recovery.
Instructions
1. Keep a source of light like a small flashlight on a key chain and night-lights at home. To some extent, fear of darkness is an instinctual human reaction developed by evolution to help humans survive at night. Keeping a bit of light around at all times will help to alleviate the feeling of helplessness that darkness causes in some people. While this is an effective way to alleviate some symptoms, it is not a treatment of nyctophobia.
2. Speak with a mental health professional to determine root causes. In many cases, persisting fear of darkness has causes in psychological trauma, even if the sufferer is not aware of it. A mental health professional like a psychologist can help find and treat the root causes of the condition.
3. Find a support group for people who suffer from nyctophobia or other phobias so you can have someone to talk to about your fear on a regular basis. Discussing your fear of the dark can help you understand the condition in ways that dealing with it alone cannot. Get in touch with the American Psychological Association to find resources for phobia treatment and discussion groups.
4. Try to reduce general stress in your life. Fear of the dark is commonly associated with anxiety disorders that have a link to stress. Being able to sleep at night is one simple way of treating fear of the dark: if you fall asleep the minute your head touches the pillow, you will not lie awake at night afraid of the dark. General stress reduction is likely to have a positive effect on fear of darkness, in addition to having a positive impact on a number of other aspects of your life.
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