Fear of the dark

[Phoenix78]

This might seem stupid or childish i know, but is there anyone on here that will let me know that my fear is valid and not childish.

I have had this fear since i was little and I genuinely am terrified of the dark like PTSD type of scared.

Im so sick of people telling me to just get over it. It isnt that easy and im sorry that im like this.

Edited July 5, 2022 by Phoenix78

[Guest Aquaman]

how dark? like completely lights off dark? or just hallway light on dark? nightlight?

[Vampiress]

It is okay to be afraid of the dark, lots of people have this fear even though many won't admit it. It's definitely a fear I've had to learn to control myself ever since living on my own. For a while there it was really hard being all alone at night, even though I have my dog.

[Guest Buttercup800]

I’m scared of the dark. I have a night light on at night for bed.

[Alaskan Daddy]

with most things in life, what you are feeling is real and can not be helped.  There are feelings we cannot not control. The people who tell you just to 'get over it' are rude and insensitive. The best we can do is try to understand why we have these feelings and that way you have the control over your feelings instead of your feelings having control over you.  

My point is that there is nothing wrong with you. Being afraid of the dark is just one of the your struggles. We all have different struggles. 

I hope all the words of encouragement you have received will help you feel better about this struggle

[LeftyGuitar]

There's nothing wrong with being afraid of the dark. Its probably a more common phobia than many people would like to admit. There's also nothing wrong if you want/need a night-light to sleep at night.

[Guest Leanne]

I've always had a fear of the dark, especially if I am alone. I have my room set up with fairy loghts and a mural of the night sky above my bed. Ive made my space into a place of comfort. I guess it might seem weird to someone who doesn't have that fear. Some people are afraid of clonws. Im not, but I'm not going to judge. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about it.

[SnuggyCarebear]

II am a little afraid of the dark.  I keep a night light on in the bathroom and hallway as I need it really dark to sleep.   Your fear is valid, and anyone who says otherwise is a meanie.

[Guest Teasing Tink]

Yes, it's incredibly normal and common for people to project their own fears onto the darkness when they're alone and the lights go out. So, it's not the dark that we fear, but whatever our fear is conjuring. 

 

It happens to me as well. Not on the PTSD level, but somewhat recently, I started sleeping with my lamp on after I had a scary lucid dream in which someone or something was in my room. Then I projected my fear onto it, which made it worse. Now I just see it as a challenge to face my own fears so I can overcome them and grow from it by making the light inside of me so bright, there is no more fear for me to project onto the dark. It's kind of like whenever you have any type of nightmare, you can be terrified of it or see it as a friend, pointing to what needs to be healed inside of you. Then you go about that in whatever way works best for you. Not saying it'll be healed over night (it's a process), I'm just saying that there's a silver lining to it. 

 

And to answer your question, it's incredibly valid. Everyone deals with fear on some level, even if they deny or suppress it. Just because theirs isn't the dark, doesn't mean they're somehow more adult or mature. There's always valid reasons behind these things, so please don't feel ashamed for feeling scared. I would just say that you're better off talking about it with people who are more understanding.

[Lovely_Princess03]

I am TERRIFED of the dark I can not sleep in the dark. It's IMPOSSIBLE for me to sleep. I have to have my laptop or T.V on. 

 

[StrawberryDoll]

I have been afraid of the dark since I was a child. I always thought I was weird because I still have nyctophobia, but in college I found out that I'm not alone in this. I met a girl who was more afraid of the dark than I was. So I think it's a pretty common phobia.

[ellie:)]

Omg I'm so scared of the dark too. Glad to see it's not that weird Edited January 2, 2022 by ellie:)

[Guest Sunshine_ButterflyFairy]

This might seem stupid or childish i know, but is their anyone on here that will let me know that my fear is valid and not childish.

I have had this fear since i was little and I genuinely am terrified of the dark like PTSD type of scared.

Im so sick of people telling me to just get over it. It isnt that easy and im sorry that im like this.

 

 

Your not alone on this, I am too. I suffer with PTSD too. 

 

Another reason for me being scared of the dark is because I get sleep paralysis sometimes and that itself is freaky. Good thing, I have some Pink Lights inside my room. I plug them in when I go to bed, and I sleep just fine. I haven't had sleep paralysis in a few months, which is a good thing too. It usually happens randomly, which freaks me out even more. 

[pinkypie1919]

I feel so stupid to be afraid but I am. I tend to get paranoid. In my head I’m thinking that I need to stay up to protect the house if someone or something comes in.

[Guest Katie-Pie]

[HeathG]

This is a totally normal human condition, and is in fact primeval. We are physically at our most vulnerable when asleep, helpless in our cave to a passing wolf, lion or sabretooth tiger. So we have evolved to want to be able to see at all times while awake. There's a reason why 99.999% of horror movies all take place at night or in dark places. Don't be embarrassed about it. It's normal!

I am actually afraid of clowns... now that's not normal

[Kitten&Spice]

I am genuinely terrified of the dark! It has been a fear for a long time! I still sleep with a nightlight or some kind of light in my room at all times!

 

One thing I did learn is that being scared of the dark is one of the most common fears people have. It is not only a fear that often stems from evolution but in its whole it is the fear of the unknown! I don’t think people take into consideration that being scared of the dark is so common! And most adults still have it! Don’t feel ashamed about that!

[BrassyBabyGirl]

I can relate. 85% of the time I am boss a$$ adult rocking her apartment..then for some reason at some point, the fear hits and I have to run and turn on a light when going to the bathroom screaming scared scared scared. So yes and no? Usually it is no big deal but sometimes it is like my big empty apartment closes in on me and the dark is to much and I have to turn on a light or t.v. It never happens when I have someone over.

[Diodress]

There are no childhood fears. Each of the fears is real and serious no matter what. Some people are boxed in and think very narrowly, not realizing that making fun of other people's fears and feelings, in general, is not cool. Personally, I have a fear of small pest bugs, mostly bedbugs, as I had a very unpleasant and traumatic experience with these little buggers as a child. They simply did not let me live in peace, at first, my parents did not even understand what they were. After we found out that they were bed bugs, we took measures and decided to get rid of them with bed bug spray(If anyone needs). Eventually, they left the house completely, but I still have a great fear of getting them again.

Edited July 5, 2022 by Diodress

[Little Becca]

Ohhh Phoenix, I know this is an older post but, I just felt inclined to respond. I know personally that people have many, many different fears. And actually I am afraid of the dark, too, and I have a happy cloud nightlight that makes me feel better!!!

No fear is invalid!!!  It’s always ok to be scared. The best thing you can do is to reach out to others for support and to help you understand that there is nothing wrong with you, and I am very very very happy you did that!!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

So please don’t feel bad or ashamed about your fears!! It is why lots of us littles need our Daddies/caregivers, to help us feel better. I get scared and have bad dreams lots. It’s just how I have always been. But it’s ok because it’s just part of who I am!!!  And also  I like me and who I am lots. And also you should, too!!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗