Fear of Dark

Fear of the dark is clinically called ‘nyctophobia’. Irrational fear of the dark in an otherwise normal person is the main symptom of nyctophobia. Phobias are very commonplace and they will take any number of forms.

A fear that becomes irrational is a phobia. A phobia will begin as a rational fear in response to a scary event. Over time the fear takes over and becomes more and more irrational.

Fear of the dark, fear of spiders, fear of driving, etc are all phobias that may stay targeted or will develop into more general anxiety problems.

Panic disorder will develop if a phobia goes untreated and gets worse. A panic attack can be set off by something very subtle. All or some of the following could occur with a panic attack:

• Paralyzing bouts of fear.

• Fear of going insane.

• Anxiety about being trapped.

• Rapid pulse.

• Shortness of breath.

• Chest pain and tightness.

• Nausea, stomach trouble.

• Feeling confused or dizzy.

• Loss of reality, feelings of being disconnected.

• Sensations of numbness or tingling.

• Sweating profusely.

People coping with panic attacks often end up in emergency rooms. Panic attack symptoms look very much like heart attack symptoms, even to doctors. Being tested again and again for heart disease can get expensive. Panic disorder will elude diagnosis for years.

Regular panic attacks due to fear of the dark will become a full-blown panic disorder. Fear of the dark and panic almost never go away without correct treatment.

Panic attacks progress to fear of more panic attacks. Fear becomes so strong that folks begin to avoid normal activities for fear of triggering new panic attacks.

Fear of the dark will be helped Full recovery is routine. Early treatment yields the fastest results Results are good even when fear of the dark has been a problem for many years.

Treatment begins with teaching the phobic person new ways of perceiving the world that lessen fear. One popular short-term treatment that works this way is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is cost-effective and usually covered by insurance.

Self-help programs can also provide relief for panic disorders and phobias. Self-help programs usually focus on teaching sufferers not to fear being afraid. Concern of the next attack actually brings it on by increasing anxiety levels.

Self-help is often a great choice for folks worried about the cost of traditional therapy. Self-help is also very convenient and discrete. Hypnosis, self-hypnosis, and antidepressant drugs or anti-anxiety medications are all popular options that may also be quite effective.