I have an intense fear of the dark. I get panicky and start hyperventilating if I'm in the dark by myself and feel like I'm going to die if I stay in the dark too long. I've always been discomforted by the dark but in the past couple of years it's now something that gives me panic attacks.

I'm not sure how to go about easing my fear. I'm not even that sure if I can ease it. So I was wondering if there is any way that I at least don't have panic attacks. Please help? :)

Edit: If I'm not being clear enough, just tell me and I will try to be clearer.

Well, when I was little (hell up into my teens) I was real scared of the dark too. I'm still not really comfortable with it, but I'm not scared any more. What I did was I started sleeping with the tv in my room turned on and muted. The light would flicker and change and everything all night and make weird shadows in places. I'd turn the brightness down a little bit every time I got comfortable with it and finally I was able to sleep without it on.

fear is a mental challenge. it is important to know that there is nothing that can harm you in the dark -- that isn't also there in the light. ^_^

with that said, i totally recommend investing in a night light. certainly not one of those little things you pop into the wall socket... but something that illuminates the room without disturbing anyone else that may share your room.

i strongly suggest looking into nighttime room lights for infants. it's dark enough without being annoying... but light enough to comfortably see the whole room.

Thanks. :) Sugah, sadly I don't have a tv in my room but. :) But that sounds like a good idea.

Shatzy, that's a great idea. I will look into that. :)

Well if you have real honest to god panic attacks it's not a normal fear anymore. Just try and think how or when these panic attacks start. Is there something special that triggers it or just the dark itself?

Maybe something happened in your life that made you scared of the dark; it could be something very small from when you were young; you might not even remember it.

Try the things others have mentioned but if it keeps up or even gets worse you should get professional help. It would be a shame if something like that ruins your life. There's many therapies out there for help with phobias and although the beginning is difficult I've seen so many people who now laugh about what they used to be scared of.

Good luck :)

well, perhaps you aren't scared of the dark- but what's in the dark. Try to think if any memories are related to this fear. It's nothing to be ashamed of admitting. If you can't be with someone else in the dark, just try to think of happier things and keep your eyes closed...unless your walking,that is XP.

Try leaving the curtains open and just try and have a clear image in your mind of what your room is like when it isn't dark. Also if you start over reacting and thinking of really scary things you can't see in the dark just force yourself to think of very normal things. When I get freaked out I just say mundane things like tree, chair, lamp, table, mom, star - I don't know why but it helps me.

If you're embarrassed at all by having a nightlight in your room, try getting a lava lamp. Those things are super snazzy. I have the same problem, so I own one. THEY ROCK... ;D

haha... yeah lava lamps would be cool (though i'd fear overheating -- but i'm weird like that). you can also find some electric paper lanterns or lamps like these... or you may even consider hooking up some really neat patio lights, you'd just have to adjust the bulb wattage (and consider whomever may be sharing the room with you). ^^

Thanks everyone. :) And by the way I'm 16 years old so yeah. XD Hopefully I can get back down to that discomfort in the dark. Oh and sorry it took me so long to reply, I've been really busy as of late.

And I think I'm afraid of what could be in the dark. I'm always afraid that someone's going to be there and hurt me. Oh and BradTheMad, I tried thinking of why I'm afraid of the dark. The only things that I can remember that happened in the dark is when my brother accidentally gave me a bloody nose when I was in 3rd grade and when I was carrying a plate and my cat and I fell down a staircase and inured my back really bad in 4th grade. Sadly those both really happened. XD

I will make sure to keep my eyes open if I'm walking in the dark Jasher.

I've actually tried what your saying Laurann. :) It kind of helps. It at least doesn't make me panic as much.

Immune_2_U I have a lava lamp! :D It was great till somehow it broke. Shatzy that is an awesome lamp! I will see if I can get my parents to let me buy one. I think that'd really help.

I've got a similar problem. If I'm alone in the dark I get this intense feeling of being watched and I start seeing things in every shadow. If I'm in a dark hallway I will run like a rabbit for the nearest light switch. -__- So I always leave the light on in one of the rooms next to mine (bathroom or spare room) and my door partially open to let in the indirect light. It's great because you adjust the amount of light by moving the door further open or shut. (You can also find your way to the bathroom at night...that's always a bonus. :P)

Amarete I do that whenever I leave my room at night. :) I run aound the house and flip on the switches where I go. I can't leave lights on outside my room but that gives me an idea. I can do the same thing with my closet. Thanks for the idea!