What is the fear of the dark called, and how to overcome this fear?

Many of us were afraid of darkness in childhood. Someone passed it, but someone still panicked by nightfall.

Most adults do not recognize their problem and do not even know that she has a name and a solution. So what is the fear of the dark called and how to conquer it?

What is nyctophobia?

Niktophobia (rarely achluofobia) - pathological fear of darkness, night time, dark rooms.

Many believe that such fear is inherent only in children, but it is not.

Most adults ashamed to admit it. Nyctophobia is one of the most common fears, people of completely different ages are suffering from it. 10% of the population experience paralyzing horror in a dark room.

This phobia can accompany a person solely in childhood, and later just a chasm in itself. It happens that a man has never been afraid of the dark in his life, and then he suddenly becomes frightened.

But most often, niktofobiya pursues people since childhood, and in older age only increases. As a rule, it is much easier for children to get rid of phobias; in adults, fears become more serious.

Causes

Genetics - at the genetic level of a person there is information that night is the most dangerous time of day. It was at nightfall, in ancient times, that people were afraid of the attacks of predatory animals, enemy tribes, etc. Therefore, a sense of self-preservation causes the body to experience fear in the dark.
If the parents suffer from this phobia, then the probability that the child will also be afraid of the dark is 80%. And in this case, parents do not help their children cope with fear, but only strengthen and nourish it.
Vision - The visual acuity of a person is significantly reduced in the dark. Eyes - this is one of the main protective mechanisms of man. In the dark it seems to us that if we close our eyes, then something bad will happen. At such moments, the person feels as helpless as possible, hence fear.
Fear from childhood - Almost all children are afraid of the dark. It happens that parents intimidate their child with horror stories, and the violent children's imagination begins to paint scary pictures of nightly inhabitants. In this case, fear can turn into a neurosis.
At a certain point, the mother begins to teach the child to sleep alone in her own room with the lights off.
At such times, he may feel insecure and in need of maternal care like never before. So the fear of darkness is born.
Feeling alone - Many people are afraid to be alone, they have an urgent need for someone to be nearby. In the dark, they feel as lonely and vulnerable as possible.
Psychological trauma - people may experience the fear of the dark if something terrible has happened to them in the dark or in an unlit room.
Excessive parental care - it happens that the parents take too much care of their child. This can lead to the fact that the baby can become cowardly and insecure. Hence the fear of the dark.
Incomplete family - Experts say that children who are brought up in single-parent families are more likely to acquire niktophobia.
Imagination - our imagination and fantasy can finish that which is not. In the dark, some things distort their shape, so the person may feel what is actually in the room. Many people even sleep all night with the lights on, because they fear their own fantasies.
Stress - strong stresses, conflicts and nervousness can significantly affect a person's mental state, which can lead to fear of the dark.
Fear of death - he can provoke fear of the dark. After all, death is often associated with darkness.
If a person suffers from nyctophobia for this reason, then, according to experts, it is precisely the fear of death that must be disposed of.
Horror Movie Abuse and other horror stories - too impressionable, emotionally unstable people, after watching horror films, may begin to fear the dark.

Why are people afraid of the dark? About this in the video:

What is the fear aimed at?

A person is afraid not so much of the darkness, but of what he believes is hidden in it. Due to the fact that we do not see well in an unlit room, our brain perceives it as danger signal, imagination draws what is not.

Man begins to experience insecurity and weaknesses.

He expects nothing to happen. Every rustle scares and drives into a panic.

This condition can lead to pseudogallucinations - fictional images begin to see in reality.

Symptoms and signs

Niktophobia has the nature of attacks that intensify with the approach of darkness.

cardiopalmus;
stomachache;
pressure surges;
headache;
shiver;
excessive sweating;
unreasonable feeling of cold;
the feeling that the legs have become "cotton";
stuttering, even if earlier this person was not observed;
anxiety;
strong fear;
panic;
hand tremor;
fear can be terrifying, in which a person can scream strongly, fight hysterically, run headlong or, on the contrary, huddle into a corner;
neurotic state;
dizziness;
sleep disturbance, nightmares;
paranoia.

Features of manifestation in children

Psychologists say that the child’s fear of darkness begins to develop in about at the age of two. At this time, parents are trying to teach the baby to sleep alone in a room with the lights off.

A child who is used to always being with his parents may begin to feel fear, sadness and loneliness. If he starts coming to the parent’s bedroom at night, it will be quite normal.

But if a child older than 3 years flatly refuses to stay in a dark room or even go there, he becomes hysterical and panic, then you should start worrying.

In childhood niktofobiya flows much easierthan in adults. If during pay attention, then can be cure child. Then fear will not enter adulthood, but remain a childhood nightmare.

Fear of the dark: how can a child overcome nyctophobia? Find out from the video:

What is dangerous phobia?

Scientists conducted a study that showed that people suffering from a phobia, due to constant stress more inclined to heart attacks and strokes.

Constantly nervous, worried and afraid - very dangerous for the body.

This condition can activate everything. hidden diseases. Because of the constant stay in stress, a person's sleep is disturbed.

He always feels tired, lethargic and lack of sleep, which leads to confusion and lack of focus in everyday life. Nyctophobia can cause nightmares that also interfere with a person’s normal life.

Fear of the dark need to be treated as quickly as possible. Do not sleep with the lights on. So you just delay the solution to the problem, but do not rid yourself of fear. And all the time to sleep in the light - harm to human health.

How to overcome fear?

It is possible to get rid of niktofobiya both at children's age, and in adult. The main thing, time to ask for help.

Medicines

Drugs to get rid of niktofobii will not work. No special pills for fear of the dark. In severe cases and in moments of exacerbation, sedatives may be prescribed, they will alleviate the symptoms.

In severe cases where fear can lead to a depressive state, antidepressants may be prescribed.

Psychological help

First you need to contact to the psychotherapist.

He will hold a conversation, find out the causes of fear and prescribe treatment.

Do not limit only one visit to the specialist, it is better if you keep in touch with your doctor throughout the treatment.

If your fear comes from childhood, it is worth remembering what you were specifically scared of and understand if it scares you now.

Before bedtime need to relax take a deep breath, try to convince yourself that what you are afraid of does not exist. After all, this is the case.

Do not look at bedtime anything terrible and hard, it is best to watch something light and relaxing, or listen to pleasant music.

If you are afraid of some creatures in the dark, meet your fears. Touch and feel everything with your own hands. Make sure there is no one in the room except you. Nothing threatens you.

In preparation for bedtime, turn on a small night light. Gradually reduce light to a minimum.

You can try to complete the course. hypnotherapy. The psychotherapist may recommend to resemble special trainings. Yoga and meditation can also help combat fears.

Psychologists say that dreaming about something pleasant before going to bed helps to overcome fear. Need to go to bed in a good mood.

5 tipshow to overcome fear of darkness:

What if the child is afraid of the dark?

Psychologist tips:

No need to scold your child because he is afraid that he wakes you in the middle of the night. In no case can not call him a coward or a nurse. Be sure to support your baby, hug and calm.
Can not scare children monsters and horror stories. Unfortunately, many parents do it, because children fall asleep so hard. Subsequently, this can result in a phobia.
If the child has a strong fear, you can turn on his night light. If it is easier for him to sleep with the door open, then leave it in that state.
Talk with your child, try to explain that there are no monsters, he has nothing to fear.
Do not let watch TV at nightit is better to read him some kind fairy tale.
Positively customizekeep a good mood.
All children have favorite toys, let the child sleeping with her pet.
Pets are good helpers in dealing with fears.

The child is afraid of the dark, what to do? Child Psychologist Tips:

How to live with niktofobiya?

Live with niktofobiya pretty hard.

After all, the dark time comes every day. If the fear goes out of control, then you should definitely ask for help.

And if the fear does not cause much discomfort, or appears periodically, then for a comfortable sleep you can use, for example, night light. Try not to walk on unlit streets.

The fact that an adult is afraid of the dark, there is nothing wrong with that. If your fear prevents you and your loved ones from living, you should think about overcoming it. Nyktofobiya gives in to therapy.

Do not delay with this. After all healthy sleep - One of the main components of our livelihoods.