Nyctophobia, Fear of the Dark

stacy_pace · 07-08-2001, 10:58 PM

Isn't being scared of the dark a childish thing? It's something I never "grew" out of. I am 24, and so scared of the dark. I'm afraid of what lurks there. I also have a problem with gory images that stick in my head, and of course, they always seem to pop up when I'm in the dark. They keep me from sleeping. When I go to bed, it doesn't matter what might arise, I'm not putting my feet on the floor for anything...not to pee, not to brush my teeth, not ANYTHING that I've forgotten or suddenly think of. My feet have to be curled into the folds of a blanket, or I'm scared something will "get them". I seem to think that there's some unwritten rule that "something" can't get you if your under the covers.
When I come home to a dark house, I immediately turn on all the lights and check the house. I check the bathroom to make sure there aren't any dead bodies in the tub or a discarded fetus in the toilet. I check the closets and pantries to make sure nothing is hiding there to get me once I turn the lights off. Bathrooms and bedrooms are the worst for me. I also have OCD...but I'm more obsessive than compulsive...I obsess about the gory images...the dead bodies...and I'm so scared by them that I can't even perform a "compulsive ritual"...The only compulsive thing I can do to get rid of it all is to repeat to myself that I am 24 years old and I'm a big wimp. I usually fall asleep thinking that. I've tried visualizing other things, pictures of loved ones...but the faces always morph into something just as bad as the original thought.
The biggest reason this bothers me is that I've got a 4 year old son...I'm a single mom. I can't go and turn the bathroom light on for him because I'm too scared to, so I put a stool in the bathroom so he can do it himself, and I sit and worry about him while he's in there.
I'm going through pre-marital counseling right now...I think I'll bring it up to the counselor. Thanks for reading. Any advice or affirmation that I'm not a nut-case would be appreciated.

God Bless

Cat82 · 07-10-2001, 06:05 PM

You are not nuts. Maybe hypnosis could help you. I'm 14 and still afraid of clowns. Maybe ya should bring it up. I could help

I have OCD as well. It's no walk in the park

Try it http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/cool.gifI get a little scared myself.

[This message has been edited by Cat82 (edited 07-18-2001).]

NW001 · 07-14-2001, 07:00 PM

Hi There-
Maybe if your'e afraid of the dark you should try this:

Turn the lights off and lay on your bed. Close your eye's. Spread out your arms and legs. Relxa. Take a risk. Say, " Okay. Im here. Come and get me. I don't care. Im not affraid of you. ". Just completly forget about everything. You wont get killed. No one's going to hurt you. If there are ghosts they wont do anything to you. JUst try facing the dark!

Who knows maybe this will help. Im sure lots of people have told you the same. But try it! Really! Face the dark!!

Cat82 · 07-18-2001, 06:32 PM

Do you have a TV in your room? Try to watch it until you fall asleep. Try Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, or Disney. I read until I fall asleep. Try it. Even NW001 has a great idea too http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif One of the three should work.

[This message has been edited by Cat82 (edited 07-18-2001).]

LDR · 06-16-2005, 01:22 PM

I have been researching for answers and I discovered your message.....Your story is my story....Nycophobia- is terrible, and I don't know what to do . I am desperate. Your message let me know that I am not the only one. I sleep with the closet light on, and I am married. My husband supports me but I feel like a freak. This is taking over my life. I am scared when I am awake at night, and I am scared of the terrible things I will dream when I go to sleep. I pray and Pray and I feel so alone.