Fear of Dark
Fear of the dark is clinically referred to as ‘nyctophobia’. Nyctophobia is marked by an extreme and irrational fear of the dark in an otherwise normal person. Phobias are very commonplace and they will take any number of forms.
A phobia is a common fear that has become irrational. A phobia will begin as a rational fear in response to a scary event. Over time the fear becomes more irrational and generalized.
A phobia can stay focused on a single trigger like fear of the dark, fear of spiders, fear of driving, etc, or it will develop into a deeper problem.
Panic disorder can develop if a phobia goes untreated and gets worse. A panic attack will be set off by something very subtle. Symptoms of panic attack include:
• Bouts of intense fear.
• Fear of losing sanity.
• Fear of being trapped.
• Racing heartbeat.
• Trouble catching breath.
• Chest pain and tightness.
• Nausea and indigestion.
• Feeling confused or dizzy.
• Loss of reality, feelings of being disconnected.
• Numbness and tingling in the feet, hands, and face.
• Blushing.
Panic attacks typically send sufferers to the emergency room. Panic attack symptoms look very much like heart attack symptoms, even to doctors. Repeated testing to rule out heart disease can get expensive. Accurate diagnosis of panic disorder will take a very long time.
Fear of the dark can grow into panic disorder if attacks become regular and unpredictable. Panic disorder can worsen if treatment isn't sought.
Fear of the next attack becomes as crippling as the attacks themselves. Fear becomes so strong that folks begin to avoid normal activities for fear of triggering new panic attacks.
Fear of the dark can be helped. Full recovery can be expected in most cases. Recovery progresses quickly when treatment is started early on in the phobia. Results are impressive and fast even when fear of the dark has been present for several years.
Fear of the dark is treated by teaching new ways of thinking about stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the foremost popular treatments for eliminating fear in this way. Insurance usually covers CBT.
Fear of the dark and panic also responds well to self-help methods. Self-help usually starts by teaching individuals to not fear the fear itself. Dreading the next attack causes anxiety and anxiety creates the next attack.
Self-help appeals to individuals who can’t afford CBT or medication. Phobic folks like the privacy and convenience of self-help methods. Hypnosis, self-hypnosis, and antidepressant drugs or anti-anxiety medications are all popular options that may also be quite effective.
Just a reminder - Check out Fear of Dark here: Fear of Dark
Julia Hanson website: Panic-anxiety-attack-help.com
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