Some may believe its a kid thing, but for many of us, a fear of the dark lingers into adulthood. Grown adults suffer from it too, but it’s actually a very natural fear that helped our ancestors survived. These ancient humans often lived nomadic lives with minimal shelter, and outside those shelters could lurk any number of dangerous things hidden under the cover of darkness.
Nyctophobia, as it is officially named, often begins in toddlerhood. Children who are around two and three years of age begin to develop vivid imaginations and are not always able to tell what is real and what is not. Their terrors come alive at night. Normal night noises such as soft squeaking, creaking houses, dogs barking and eerie winds are no longer innocent sounds but instead something dark and frightening. An ear perk up to listen, and many thoughts go through our heads. We may imagine that these are not the sounds of the house settling but are actually the sounds of someone crawling across roof.
Something inherit about darkness scares our imaginations make up for the lack of ability to see through shadows, but unfortunately, this can have some negative effects on our health. A study that was presented at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in Boston found that nearly half of those tested suffered from poor sleep as well as night-time fears. Undiagnosed and untreated nyctophobia could be preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep as well.
If you suffer from night fears, you may know that its all mental, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to conquer. A nightlight or bedside lamp can help ease your discomfort. When the mind turns the sound of a nearby barking dog into a Baskerville hound, we can send those worries scurrying by laughing at our own over active imagination.
Knowing that this is modern day and we don't have to worry about lion attacks or real monsters can help ease the worries, but knowing that in darkest nights there is always a moon may not be enough to silence those fears. If your fears don’t seem to let up with lifestyle changes and conservative measures, you may need to talk to your doctor about cognitive behavioral therapy or other treatment options that can help you conquer your fears and get the sleep you need.
A blog with information to help inspire action that will improve health.