Nyctophobia :
Fear of the Dark
Many of us can relate to running up the stairs to our lit bedroom while the rest of the house is blanketed in darkness. There is lot of uncertainty behind the dark, and many horror films and stories are centered around a pitch-black environment or the darkness of the night. At a certain severity, this fear can be classified as Nyctophobia, which is the official phobia associated with being afraid of the dark. It is one of the most common fears among adults, along with the fear of heights. In fact, according to Glamour, “It is estimated that 11 percent of the U.S. population is afraid of the dark”. It is not necessarily a bad thing to be afraid of the dark; human’s have an inherent sense of caution, and our instinct is to protect ourselves from potential threats. The dark provides threats that we are unable to see and confront on our own, and for some, this becomes a phobia that inhibits many of their daily activities.
Being afraid of the dark generally begins at a young age. This is a normal stage in development, but by the time we are adults, severe fears of the dark become irrational due to there being no reason to be scared when the lights are off. In adults who suffer from a phobia, their symptoms often include physiological symptoms such as sweating, increased heart rate, trembling, or even nausea. Additionally, many people experience anxiety in darkened environments, they must sleep with a night light, or they obsessively stay indoors past sunset. These symptoms distinguish Nyctophobia from a simple wariness of the dark, which is very common.
The causes and roots behind Nyctophobia are quite interesting. There is a possibility that it could be evolutionary by nature due to the number of predators that hunt during the nighttime. Likely, the fear is not linked to the dark itself but the potential negative scenarios that could occur within that darkness. In the dark, there is an absence of security and safety, and as your eyes are not as active, your other senses become more attentive. If someone cannot see the sounds and movements around them, they are more likely to experience an extreme fear as a result. Being in the dark compromises your brain’s ability to comprehend the other senses they are experiencing, and this could be a strong agent behind Nyctophobia. It makes a lot of sense where the fear originates from; the questioning lies in why it perpetuates past childhood for some.
Like many phobias, nyctophobia is treatable at any age. This can include a combination of professional help and home remedies. Many doctors recommend creating a coping expression for people to mentally say to themselves and remind them that they are safe in the dark in order to make them feel less anxious. Deep breathing, meditation, and muscle relaxation can help patients that suffer from insomnia as a result of their fear of the dark, which can prohibit their quality of sleep during the night. In other more extreme cases, exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and even medications may be necessary to combat the symptoms of nyctophobia.
Being wary of dark areas is completely normal, but just be sure that it is not prohibiting you from certain experiences and activities. With work, a person can work to reduce their fear of the dark.
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